The word "Yankees" can be heard less and less. They use it to designate persons who have American citizenship, while the Americans themselves do not really favor such a naming, preferring the classic "American man"
Instruction manual
1
The word "Yankees" was first used in 1758 by the British Army General, James Wolfe, in relation to his soldiers, natives of New England. Obviously, the word has the connotation of disrespect, neglect. So, from the XVIII century. originates the history of the term.
2
There are several etymological relatives of the term "Yankees." The first of these is Native American. According to this theory, the "forefather" of the Yankees - the word "eankke" means cowardly people and was pronounced by the Indians in relation to the New England colonists. This theory has no documentary evidence, therefore, scientists are considered far-fetched.
3
The following theory suggests that the word comes from a combination of "Jan" and "Kees" - the most common names among the Dutch colonists who populated the present territory of Alabama. Which also applied to the colonists. In emotional color, it came close to the meaning of the word “Fritz” during World War II. During the War of Independence (1775-1783) the word "Yankees" was used by soldiers in relation to the rebels. The word covered not only the opposing side, but also all the inhabitants of the Northern States. Later, from the time of the Civil War (1861-1865), the name "Yankees" is reinforced by the inhabitants of the six Northern States. Southerners opposed themselves and the opposition. Here, too, by the way, there is a tinge of neglect and a desire for insult.
4
At the beginning of the XIX century. the word is widespread in English-speaking countries, for example, New Zealand, Australia. It is used to separate itself from the Americans, but now in a truncated version of "Jank". It is possible that such a form is still present in the English language. Nowadays, the name "Yankees" is associated with all residents of America and natives of the states.
5
In the sixties of the XX century. the slogan "Yankee, go home!" It is associated with the demand of the Cubans to free the island and send home American troops stationed at the base of Guantanamo. However, for example, in Japan, this slogan could be heard before. Shortly after the end of World War II, the slogan “Ami, go home!” Appears in France as an appeal to the English. In its general meaning, one can trace the ethnocultural meaning of the word, its attitude to the people.
6
The word "Yankees" entered the Russian language at the end of the 19th century. and, in the dictionary of V.N. Corner, is interpreted as "Yankees, or Incas. Americans."
