Limey

Posted by ESC on August 23, 2000

A PC friend wants to know if people from Britain mind being called "limeys"? Well, do you? Mr. Hendrickson says you don't but I'm double-checking.

LIME; LIMEY - ".As far back as 1795, lime juice was issued in the British navy as an antisorbutic, to protect against scurvy. After about 50 years, Americans and Australians began calling English ships and sailors 'lime-juicers,' and later 'limeys.' The term 'limey' was eventually applied to all Englishmen, and today the designation and the story behind it are widely known. Originally a contemptuous term and an
international slur, 'limey' is now considered a rather affectionate designation." Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson (Fact on File, New York, 1997)

  • Limey Btd 08/23/00
    • Limey Scott Marsden 08/23/00
      • Limey Bruce Sullivan 08/24/00