Do Americans get upset when they are called a "Yank" and do British people get upset when called a "Limey"?
by 
Koz_Dracon - Nelson Remembered
ANSWERS: 19
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It would depend on the individual. As an American having a British friend he jokes and calls me a Yank, it doesn't bother me. But then the word doesn't offend me either, I can't say why not. So really, it mostly depends on the way it is used and how the individual reacts to the word being used to describe them.
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''Limey''?! I've heard us Brits called many things...but never that. It wouldn't upset me either.
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Funnily enough, as a Brit, I have never been called a 'Limey' before and I doubt many people I know have either. Personally I don't think I'd find it particularly insulting in general conversation however in certain contexts I could find it offensive. If someone is starting a slanging match and uses the term 'Limey' in a derogatory manner aimed as an insult, I may find it offensive as I would see it as an attack on my nationality. As I have said though, this hasn't happened as of yet to me and I'll be surprised if it ever will. I can't speak for Americans and their reaction to the term 'Yank', I'm afraid.
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Never been called a Limey even when i have been in the USA but even if i had it wouldnt bother me at all.
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I don't think anyone has ever called me a Limey, do people still use the word ?, It would not upset me in the slightest.
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I have no problem being called a Yank. And most of the Brits I know are only vaguely familiar with the term Limey. It's an American thing more than anything.
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!) No. To the best of my knowledge, no American I know would get upset about being called a Yank. 2) I can't speak for the Brits, but that term seems a bit outdated. In any case, no one who's answered seems offended!
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Limey actually refers to sailors, not british people. It originanted from when sailors would carry limes to suck on to avoid getting scurvy on long sea voyages. As an American I would not be offended being called a Yank.
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I don't really care, but I would think it's rather sily - considering that I'm from the south and the term "yankee" was orginially applied to people who lived in New England.
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I have heard of the word "Limey", is that what Australians call us? Or is it Americans? Either way I've never been called it and I wouldn't bother if someone did. I do refer to Americans as Yanks when I'm talking, I didn't realise it could be taken offensively. Sorry if it is.
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Never been called a limey but if i was to be called one it wouldnt bother me because i know the reason behind it :)
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As an American, I've never been called a 'Yank'. If I was though, it wouldn't upset me.
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I've never been called a yank but it wouldn't bother me.
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Whilst i;m not offended by the term Limey, both names seem very outdated.
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"Limey" from a Yank and "Yank" from a Limey was a friendly terminology in it's day, but doesn't really carry over to todays society, I as a Limey am not offended :o)
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I would not be offended by being called a Limey, or a brit or a pom...it doesnt bother me....I wouldnt even be offended if you called my teddy bear Mohamed ;)
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You can call me anything you like, just don't call me late for dinner.
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Yes, as an American, I find it offensive if a British person calls me a Yank.
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Dont upset me being called a limey,I've been called a lot worse. The Aussie term for a Brit is "Pommy" ,short for Pomegranite,the pink flesh of which is said to be like a British tourist.
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