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Prior to the 1700s, sailors often developed the disease scurvy, which would afflict them after long times at sea when eating only preserved foods. By the early 1700's, the British navy had determined that giving sailors a daily ration of lemon juice or lime juice could prevent the disease. Scurvy continued to be a problem until the late 1700s, as some voyages were so long that the ships weren't able to carry enough fresh fruit.
By the early 1800's, the term "Limey" had come into use as a pejorative term for British sailors, and the term spread to British soldiers and then to anybody from Britain.
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∙ 10y ago
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∙ 12y agoBecause the ate a lot of limes on the boat to get protein and vitamins and keep there teeth nice from all the bad rotten food...
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What is a yank World War 2?
During World War II, British soldiers and civilians referred to Americans as yanks - from Yankees. The Americans called the British limeys.
What slang terms did German soldiers use for US British and Russian soldiers in World War 2?
The common nicknames are as follows: 1. Russian soldiers were commonly called Ivan; 2. British soldiers were called tommies and British Paratroopers were also referred to as Red Devils; and 3. American soldiers were called yanks. American Paratroopers were called Devils in Baggy Pants, and numerous other nicknames were used. The Bloody Bucket soldiers was a nickname the Germans gave to the 28th Infantry Division soldiers out of respect(red shoulder patch resembling a bucket).AnswerThere's a term the Germans used a lot to refer to the "Americans" that wasn't mentioned "Ami", pl. "Amis". The Germans were called "Krauts", "Jerries", "Huns"; the French called them "Les Boches" And in Russia "Gans" (Hans, as there's no "H" in russian), or "Fritz". Oscar R MaldonadoAnswerGerman: Fritz Russian: IvanBritish: TommieAmerican: Yanks
What where British soldiers called during the revolutinary war?
British soldiers were called lobsterbacks don't forget red skins!
Were the union soldiers or conferate soldiers ever called the redcoats?
No, that was in the Revolutionary War where the British were called Redcoats.
What were British soldiers called in World War 1?
Tommys.
What was the nickname for the British?
redcoats they were called "Limeys"
What names were the British soldiers called?
Tommies or if naval personnel Limeys or historically Redcoats
What is a yank World War 2?
During World War II, British soldiers and civilians referred to Americans as yanks - from Yankees. The Americans called the British limeys.
What were british sailors used to be called?
swabs, tars and limeys
Nickname for the British soldiers?
British soldiers were called Lobsterbacks because of their red uniform coats. Colonial soldiers (technically, not soldiers, but militia) were called Minute Men bacuse they could be ready for action on a minute's notice.
How else are British enlisted soldiers known?
British soldiers are sometimes called 'Tommies'.
What slang terms did German soldiers use for US British and Russian soldiers in World War 2?
The common nicknames are as follows: 1. Russian soldiers were commonly called Ivan; 2. British soldiers were called tommies and British Paratroopers were also referred to as Red Devils; and 3. American soldiers were called yanks. American Paratroopers were called Devils in Baggy Pants, and numerous other nicknames were used. The Bloody Bucket soldiers was a nickname the Germans gave to the 28th Infantry Division soldiers out of respect(red shoulder patch resembling a bucket).AnswerThere's a term the Germans used a lot to refer to the "Americans" that wasn't mentioned "Ami", pl. "Amis". The Germans were called "Krauts", "Jerries", "Huns"; the French called them "Les Boches" And in Russia "Gans" (Hans, as there's no "H" in russian), or "Fritz". Oscar R MaldonadoAnswerGerman: Fritz Russian: IvanBritish: TommieAmerican: Yanks
What did colonists call British Soldiers?
The British soldiers were (aptly enough) called "redcoats".
What where British soldiers called during the revolutinary war?
British soldiers were called lobsterbacks don't forget red skins!
Why are british people called limeys?
This is a nickname that died out after World War II and was only used by Americans. In the 18th and early 19th century, sailors of all nationalities were afflicted by a condition known as scurvy after long periods at sea. It was eventually discovered that the condition was caused by a lack of vitamin C during long sea voyages and to solve the problem, British ships started to carry quantities of limes on long voyages, which were distributed to crew members at regular intervals during the voyage. When American seamen heard about this, they didn't believe that limes could alleviate scurvy and ridiculed the British sailors by calling them 'Limeys'. The name soon spread and eventually most Americans called British people (not just sailors) Limeys.
Because of a special fruit used to prevent scurvy what were English sailors called?
They were called limeys (short for lime juicer). To prevent scurvy, fresh lime juice was used on British warships.
Were the union soldiers or conferate soldiers ever called the redcoats?
No, that was in the Revolutionary War where the British were called Redcoats.
