Re: Rhyming slang & insults (RE: Dished Pistons)

[Emiel Rorije]

Being dutch I have always been told that the people founding New York 
(formerly known as New Amsterdam) were called Yankees, because the most 
prevalent names in Dutch were (back in those days) Jan (John) and Kees 
(no english equivalent?) and some would even be calles Jan-Kees. And 
then Peter Stuijvesant (a dutch guy) sold New Amsterdam (Manhattan) in 
exchange for Surinam.... not the best of deals in retrospect.

it also explains why the nickname Yankee is more attached to New Yorkers 
than to the whole of the US.
So Yankee is really not an insult I would think. But inappropriate as a 
name for all americans.

Anyone with a different explanation: please correct me if I am wrong, 
it4s just what I have been told!

best,
Emiel (a not-so typical, but Dutch name).

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Quoting mikeross <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:

I don't know the exact derivation of the word "yank", but I find it 
endearing.  It reminds me of my dad's generation of WWII veterans.  They 
were always called "yanks", and never took offence.

Do Brits take offence to the term "limeys" (not sure of spelling)? 

Generally no, though depending on the tone/context (as with all things I guess)
I'm sure I used to know where that term came from...
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