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Clive Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

The term 'Brit'.

As a British person who doesn't live in Britain, I find the term 'Brit' a bit annoying., rather like how I think many Americans dislike being called 'Yanks'.

Do people who currently live in Britain commonly refer to themselves as Brits? If not, what term do they use?

Thank you,
Clive
  

Top answer

Clive I think many Americans dislike being called 'Yanks'. The origin was Dutch, from the earliest settlers of New Amsterdam (now called New York). " Southern Americans used the derogatory term "Yankee" to refer (bitterly) to the Union soldiers during the Civil war, and afterwards, the exploitative carpetbaggers and scoundrels who came from the north.

— AlpheccaStars

  • Clive I think many Americans dislike being called 'Yanks'.
  • The origin was Dutch, from the earliest settlers of New Amsterdam (now called New York).
  • " Southern Americans used the derogatory term "Yankee" to refer (bitterly) to the Union soldiers during the Civil war, and afterwards, the exploitative carpetbaggers and scoundrels who came from the north.
  • org/wiki/Yankee_Doodle
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15 Answers
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CliveI think many Americans dislike being called 'Yanks'.
The origin was Dutch, from the earliest settlers of New Amsterdam (now called New York). The most common male names were Jan and Kees, so the two were melded to make the epithet "Yankee."
Southern Americans used the derogatory term "Yankee" to refer (bitterly) to the Union soldiers during the Civil
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What about the term 'Yank?' My impression is that it is not common inside the US, but I think it is (or was?) commonly used by other nations.
eg British people often refer to (or maybe used to refer to) Americans as Yanks.
eg
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I have no problem with being called a 'Brit', and refer to myself and compatriots as such.

Rover
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CliveWhat about the term 'Yank?'
It's just the abbreviated form of Yankee. I think this originated from WWI in the very popular patriotic song "Over There" after America agreed to join in the battle and break the stalemate.

Yankee had to be shortened to one syllable to fit the music. (The full word, Yankee, appears in one of the stanzas.)

Cho
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Rover_KEI have no problem with being called a 'Brit', and refer to myself and compatriots as such.
Whew! That's a relief! I use it a lot (and with affection).
And you can call me 'Yank' any time.
On the other hand, I think many Canadians take offense at 'Canuck', which I also use with affection, having been one for 20 years myself.
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I have no problem with the term "Brit", though I would not self-describe that way. I would normally say "I'm British" or "I'm English".
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Rover_KEI have no problem with being called a 'Brit'
Interesting. I have always avoided it, thinking it was a little derogatory.

CJ
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I have never liked being called a 'Brit', and still don't. But that's probably just me.
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OptilangI have never liked being called a 'Brit'
By the way, what's wrong with it, if you'll pardon my ignorance.
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I just don't like it. Never have and probably never will. I'm sure there are plenty of British people who have no objection to the term whatsoever, but when I hear it used to refer to me it makes me cringe.
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