Lesson
A Yankee or Yank is a word used outside of America to describe Americans. The origin of the word is believed to be Dutch, but it's most often used by the British to describe their fellow English speakers across the pond. Yankee is generally a derogatory word. Despite the similarities between the two nations, no one seems to like taking the piss out of Americans more than the British. So what does this word mean in America?
If you called someone from South Carolina a Yankee, he or she would probably be offended. In the United States, the word Yankee is also used by Southerners to describe people who live in the Northeast, particularly New York and New England. The term Yankee was used during the American Civil War and is considered to be negative. All over the US, in fact, the word Yankee is used to describe someone from the Northeast.
The confusion doesn't end here. While people in South Carolina will call someone from Pennsylvania a Yankee, people in Pennsylvania don't think of themselves as Yankees. Instead, they may consider someone from Vermont or Maine a Yankee.
To most Americans, the word Yankee is the name of one of New York City's professional baseball teams, The New York Yankees. The Yankees are the Real Madrid of baseball. They've won more championships than any other team.
Vocabulary:
Across the pond: On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Derogatory: Negative or mean-spirited.
Take the piss out of something: To playfully insult or joke. (British English)
New England: The Northeastern states.
