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Why did Europeans call American soldiers 'Yanks' in World War 1?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
That dates back to when the American colonies were called "Yankees" during the time of the American Revolution. The British adopted the common name "Tommy" for their soldiers. The Germans were, of course, referred to as "Krauts", which refers to their food dish sauerkraut, I presume. The words yankee and yank have been used for a long time in Britain as nicknames for the Americans. People in Britain are generally unaware of the regional associations of the word. Some believe that it comes from 'I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy' - a song that epitomises the all-American person - born on the Fourth of July, but, as stated above, UK people do not take into account the regional associations of the word, assuming that any all-American is a 'yank'. The British do not get away scot-free however. Since the 2nd World War Americans have called the British 'Limeys' because of the lime juice that their sailors drank whilst at sea to prevent scurvy. I have an original lime juice bottle that belonged to my father when he was in the Merchant Navy in WW2, now with a model of his WW2 ship in it. The nickname that is now more often used by the Americans is he 'Brits' (for obvious reasons - a shortening of 'British', and 'Limey' tends to be used more by older generations.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe words yankee and yank have been used for a long time in Britain as nicknames for the Americans. People in Britain are generally unaware of the regional associations of the word. Some believe that it comes from 'I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy' - a song that epitomises the all-American person - born on the Fourth of July, but, as stated above, UK people do not take into account the regional associations of the word, assuming that any all-American is a 'yank'. The British do not get away scot-free however. Since the 2nd World War Americans have called the British 'Limeys' because of the lime juice that their sailors drank whilst at sea to prevent scurvy. I have an original limejuice bottle that belonged to my father when he was in the Merchant Navy in WW2, now with a model of his WW2 ship in it. The nickname that is now more often used by the Americans is he 'Brits' (for obvious reasons - a shortening of 'British', and 'Limey' tends to be used more by older generations.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agopolitical
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What name was given to American soldiers in World War 2?
They were called Yanks
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 nickname was given to all U.S. soldiers in world war 1?
Besides the already popular term "Yanks," US infantry soldiers in World War I were known as doughboys (the source of the nickname is not definitively established)
What were the US soldiers called during World War 1?
"Doughboys". The origin of the term is uncertain. An alternative term would have been "Yanks", an obvious abbreviation of "Yankees".
Who are the Yankees and the rebels?
The Union soldiers in the Civil War were sometimes called "yankees" or "yanks." The Confederate soldiers were sometimes called "rebels" or "rebs."
What were the American soldiers called in World War 2?
They were called the Yanks or Yankees
What name was given to American soldiers in World War 2?
They were called Yanks
What is the slang term for U.S. troops in world war 2?
American soldiers were called Yanks by the Allies and Ami or Amis by the Germans
Did World War 1 soldiers use the lyrics the yanks are coming?
no they did not even have electrionics.
What name was given to American soldiers who fought in the World War I?
During World War I, as in so many other wars, soldiers from both sides were given nicknames of all sorts. The American soldiers who went 'over there' to fight were no exception, receiving nicknames such as 'doughboys' and 'Yanks,' among many others.
What was another name for the American army during the world war 1?
The Yanks
What nickname was given to soldiers in World War 1?
Besides the already popular term "Yanks," US infantry soldiers in World War I were known as doughboys (the source of the nickname is not definitively established)
What nickname was given to U.S. soldiers in World War 1?
Besides the already popular term "Yanks," US infantry soldiers in World War I were known as doughboys (the source of the nickname is not definitively established)
What was the nickname for Northern soldiers during Civil War?
The Northern soldiers nicknames were the Yankees or Yanks.
Why is the World Series called the world series when only Yanks play in it?
You're forgetting that there is a Canadian team in the American League.
What Were US Soldiers Nickname?
Some were called Yanks or GI Joes.
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.
