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Is it 'rude' for a 'foreigner' to call an American a 'yank'?
In Australia we do it all the time but it's not meant in any negative way..... most of the time 
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of 
..... What was I saying???? 
Not rude at all, John. We be mate's, LOL. I think the term, "yank" goes back to 'WWI", ..... "The Yank's are Coming"
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southerners find it a bit offensive 
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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Barry said
southerners find it a bit offensive
@Barry
Interesting. Why would that be? I am aware of your 'Civil War' and I assume that it may stem form that. But i thought that the 'Southerners' would have gotten over it by now. Perhaps I'm wrong.
Am truly interested as 'we' don't really care what we are called. (Unless it's late for dinner) 
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of ..... What was I saying????
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@Ferret
In america it does in fact stem from the civil war. The southerners used to call the northerns yanks as well as several other names....and as to getting over it...well that definitely has not been the case. I know many southerners who still fly the confederate flag at their home. lol. soooooooo yeah.
But over all its not seen as an insult especially in foreign countries since it stemmed over there from WW1 and WW2. just depends on how "sensitive" an individual is 
I'm sure a lot is the tone of voice when saying it. most people will hopefully understand its not an insult...unless in fact the tone of voice would indicate otherwise...it seems that would be common sense...but what is it they say about common sense....common sense is no longer common or "common sense is no longer readily employed" lol. any who I don't think you should have to much to worry about.
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I guess I should point out that it wouldnt bother me, but I know a few folks that would consider it "fightin" words
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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rockinglr33 said
@FerretIn america it does in fact stem from the civil war. The southerners used to call the northerns yanks as well as several other names....and as to getting over it...well that definitely has not been the case. I know many southerners who still fly the confederate flag at their home. lol. soooooooo yeah.
But over all its not seen as an insult especially in foreign countries since it stemmed over there from WW1 and WW2.
I'm sure a lot is the tone of voice when saying it. most people will hopefully understand its not an insult...unless in fact the tone of voice would indicate otherwise...it seems that would be common sense...but what is it they say about common sense....common sense is no longer common or "common sense is no longer readily employed" lol. any who I don't think you should have to much to worry about.
@Georganne
Would love to know what the 'several other names' are 
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of ..... What was I saying????
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Ferret said
rockinglr33 said
@FerretIn america it does in fact stem from the civil war. The southerners used to call the northerns yanks as well as several other names....and as to getting over it...well that definitely has not been the case. I know many southerners who still fly the confederate flag at their home. lol. soooooooo yeah.
But over all its not seen as an insult especially in foreign countries since it stemmed over there from WW1 and WW2.
I'm sure a lot is the tone of voice when saying it. most people will hopefully understand its not an insult...unless in fact the tone of voice would indicate otherwise...it seems that would be common sense...but what is it they say about common sense....common sense is no longer common or "common sense is no longer readily employed" lol. any who I don't think you should have to much to worry about.
@Georganne
Would love to know what the 'several other names' are
@Ferret
The term Yankee and it's shortened form Yank was used by the British to refer to the people of the North American colonies. Later it was used by southerners to refer to northerners. The shortened form "Yank" is still used in Great Britain and Australia to refer to Americans.
Would love to know what the 'several other names' are
Nowadays, in the South there are typically two uses of the word. Yankee is still used to refer to Northerners, but there is also the phrase "Damned Yankee" which refers to a Northerner who has come to the South and stayed. 
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright
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You guys can call me anything you want to. LOL
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Fiddlerman said
You guys can call me anything you want to. LOL
Hahahahahaaaa! XD
Can i call You "Bob"?
Just joking. 
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You can call me Bob but I might not know that you are talking to me.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I have a serious question and I mean no offense with anything I say...
I have grown up in the north my entire life but have been in Florida for the past decade. Technically people don't consider Florida the south though lol.
Something that has frustrated me since I've lived in Louisiana and Florida is people who do fly the confederate flag. Now, for anyone on this site that has it on their vehicle or house, please do not get offended. I have always come from the standpoint that the confederate flag has been a symbol for those who wanted to secede from the U.S. So every time I see the flag I understand that the person is probably just showing southern pride, but the reality is that originally it meant that they didn't want to be apart of our country. So they are probably ignorant and don't realize this.
Again, maybe I'm the ignorant one and I don't know what I'm talking about. Feel free to chime in...
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Ferret said
Is it 'rude' for a 'foreigner' to call an American a 'yank'?In Australia we do it all the time but it's not meant in any negative way..... most of the time
Interestingly, the definition of Yankee differs based on one's perspective. To people outside of the U.S., Yankees -- or Yanks -- refers to all Americans. To people from the southern U.S., Yankees are people from the northern states. To people from the northern U.S., especially in the New England states, Yankees are people who are descended from the early English settlers.
In southern New England, there's even a sub-class of Yankee known as the Swamp Yankee. These are people from rural areas of Rhode Island, eastern Connecticut and southeastern Massachusetts who are characterized as being very independent, frugal and quite stubborn.
And for those of us who are Boston Red Sox fans, Yankees are a much-reviled rival baseball team.
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
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@Hman,
Today is is most often associated with rascist extremists, even though in its history it has just meant "proud to be from the south",
from http://www.infoplease.com/spot.....rate1.html
The Confederate battle flag, called the "Southern Cross" or the cross of St. Andrew, has been described variously as a proud emblem of Southern heritage and as a shameful reminder of slavery and segregation. In the past, several Southern states flew the Confederate battle flag along with the U.S. and state flags over their statehouses. Others incorporated the controversial symbol into the design of their state flags. The Confederate battle flag has also been appropriated by the Ku Klux Klan and other racist hate groups. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, more than 500 extremist groups use the Southern Cross as one of their symbols.
gws
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KindaScratchy said
Ferret said
Is it 'rude' for a 'foreigner' to call an American a 'yank'?In Australia we do it all the time but it's not meant in any negative way..... most of the time
Interestingly, the definition of Yankee differs based on one's perspective. To people outside of the U.S., Yankees -- or Yanks -- refers to all Americans. To people from the southern U.S., Yankees are people from the northern states. To people from the northern U.S., especially in the New England states, Yankees are people who are descended from the early English settlers.
In southern New England, there's even a sub-class of Yankee known as the Swamp Yankee. These are people from rural areas of Rhode Island, eastern Connecticut and southeastern Massachusetts who are characterized as being very independent, curmudgeonly and quite stubborn.
And for those of us who are Boston Red Sox fans, Yankees are a much-reviled rival baseball team.
@KindaScratchy
Thanks for that Diane. Most interesting
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of ..... What was I saying????
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@gwscheer
Yea, I didn't want to get into racism but you're correct. To me people who fly that flag support racism and didn't want to be apart of this country. Many people do have it on their vehicles today. I do not pretend to know their intentions of the flag. They could be ignorant of its history or well aware of it. Either way, to me it perpetrates inequalities that need to be abolished.
Side note: When I was in the military I saw the KKK with my own eyes in Louisiana in the early 2000s. Words cannot describe witnessing such a thing in today's day and age.
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Im sure the native americans feel the same way about the stars and stripes. Think this discussion needs to be cut short, it seems to have taken a turn. Calling people ignorant and racist, this isnt the place for this. Back to fiddling 
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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Wow
Just asked a simple question.... Just wanted to know some of my fellow fiddlers a bit better.
Had nothing to do with racism.
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of ..... What was I saying????
Union soldier's were "Yankee's" and Confederate soldier's were "Rebel's".
Has nothing to do with skin color. To rebel: To refuse allegiance to and oppose by force an established government or ruling authority.
As Barry say's, let's get back to fiddlin and leave this topic alone.
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