• original2@lemmy.world
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    1 year 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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      1 year 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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      1 year 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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        1 year 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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          1 year 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.

    • LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      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.

        • LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          If you say it referring to Americans as a British person, non offensive. If you are from somewhere where you use it as a derogatory term… I would say it is intended to segregate the populace and that will offend people.

    • Patapon Enjoyer@lemmy.world
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      1 year 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.