• @original2@lemmy.world
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    129 months ago

    Is yankee offensive? I am british and have called americans “yanks” for the past 10 years at least… Should i stop or is it ok?

    • @Glytch@lemmy.world
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      139 months ago

      It’s only offensive to people from the southern US, but they’re offended by a lot of things so who cares?

    • nickwitha_k (he/him)
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      119 months ago

      Nah. It can be used derisively but isn’t in and of itself offensive. You’re ok. Good on you for asking though.

      • synae[he/him]
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        9 months ago

        Confederate-wannabes can try to use it as an insult but that doesn’t really work. I take it as a point of pride over them.

        • nickwitha_k (he/him)
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          19 months ago

          The most likely etymological origins also make it hard to be insulting. “Little Jan” or “Jan Kaas/Cheese” is just a bit silly and endearing.

    • Meh, in Tennessee a local bar has the Confederate battle flag on the wall and I have heard in there several times that all Yankees should be shot, referring to anyone from the north. The issue is that people have moved around so much there are from the north in the south and vise versa. New York and California are the most hated states by many southerners.

    • Patapon Enjoyer
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      9 months ago

      It is used in Latin America as well as a serious denonym/gentilic. Though it can be used derisively, I’m assuming it’s the same over there.

    • kase
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      29 months ago

      I prefer to be called yankee doodle /s