Can I still call you Yanks when I live there?

[Stuart and Thea 95]

I, and most other Canadians, and English, lol, most of the world really, I'm sure... refer to the Americans collectively, and fondly, as Yanks. We know that only some of you qualify for that distinction according to your own terminology, but it's the way it is.

The question then, is if I'm living there, is it okay to still call you Yanks, or do I then have to start regionalising you into the various kinds of Americans?

That leads to another question... What are the various regional monikers? I do know Yanks, Southerners and hillbillys, but am unsure exactly where the lines are drawn, and what other regional monikers I'm missing?

[Julie y Pat 67]

Don't mention Yanks or Yankees in the Boston area. They have t-shirts that say "Yankees Suck".

[htravar 3]

I wouldn't recommend calling Southerners Yanks. Also, the appopriate term for ill-mannered Southerners is redneck. Hillbillies are really, in my opinion, people who live in the Appalachians. Now, just to be clear, don't call anyone a redneck to their face because they probably have a gun and don't mind using it. Sometimes it's better just to talk about people behind their backs.

P.S. Polite Southerners never refer to Notherners as Yankees anyway, because it's a derogatory term in the South.

[JoannaV 173]

On one trip to the US the immigration officer referred to my husband as a Yank despite knowing that I was headed to the South. I was afraid to correct him in case he decided to deny me entry, but pfft my husband would've been so insulted if he was there!

I don't generally use such slang terms anyway. The only time they're used is when joking around with a friend. For example, my father-in-law was actually born in the North (despite his family having a long Southern history and growing up himself in the South) so I might call him a Yank.

[KLS2010 30]

Thanks for the post..... after reading so much bad news on VJ in the last few days....it's nice to read something with a light-hearted tone!!

I'm from Australia, my husband is born and bred Texan. I'm surprised he still married me after I called him a Yank when I first met him lol!!! But, like you, I didn't distinguish between the 'types' of Americans - it wasn't meant in a bad way. To me, all Americans were 'Yanks' and I didn't realise that Southerners take offense to being called that. Needless to say, I learned that lesson rather quickly!

Having said that.... Texans are people all of their own. My husband refers to himself as being Texan before American! I have been told in no uncertain terms that I will never be considered Texan, even if I live there for the rest of my life, because I was not born there. But that's quite alright with me! As much as I love my (Texan) husband....I am and always will be a proud AUSSIE!

[TBoneTX 43,057]

"Gringos" is a good catch-all word, si man.

[Stuart and Thea 95]

Thanks for the post..... after reading so much bad news on VJ in the last few days....it's nice to read something with a light-hearted tone!!

I'm from Australia, my husband is born and bred Texan. I'm surprised he still married me after I called him a Yank when I first met him lol!!! But, like you, I didn't distinguish between the 'types' of Americans - it wasn't meant in a bad way. To me, all Americans were 'Yanks' and I didn't realise that Southerners take offense to being called that. Needless to say, I learned that lesson rather quickly!

Having said that.... Texans are people all of their own. My husband refers to himself as being Texan before American! I have been told in no uncertain terms that I will never be considered Texan, even if I live there for the rest of my life, because I was not born there. But that's quite alright with me! As much as I love my (Texan) husband....I am and always will be a proud AUSSIE!

Yes, I know a Texan who is exactly the same way. He wasn't born there either, but as he likes to say, "I got there as fast as I could!" The whole, I'm a Texan thing I understand.

Lol, forgot about the Rednecks, and yeah, there are a lot of them around. Up here too I'm sure! As to calling a Southerner a Yank, well, I've already had a discussion with one years ago, and no matter what I said, I could not get him to understand that it's just a pet name for all Americans. He wasn't too thrilled about it! I just remember it being kinda fun talking to him, and would love to hear more opinions on the subject! As to the forums lately, yeah, we need some more fun on here....

"Gringos" is a good catch-all word, si man.

I love it! Can I say it even if I'm not Spanish?? (or should I say Hispanic? that one I really DON'T know!)

[TBoneTX 43,057]

I love it! Can I say it even if I'm not Spanish?? (or should I say Hispanic? that one I really DON'T know!)

Hispanic, si man.

Better idea: You could introduce yourself as a "gringo from Canada" (which will surely evoke a grin) and then ask "Where are you from?" This will help you to make friends, and it avoids the need for you to feel that you have to label Americans, si man, eh.

[Darnell 8,478]

The question then, is if I'm living there, is it okay to still call you Yanks,

In general, no.

Please pay attention to where you live, if any 'concealed firearms permits' are issued in your new state of residence.

TIA !

PS, in consolation, however, is ok to throw poutine parties on Fridays or Saturdays, invite yer Canadien friends, close the doors, put towels at the bottom seams, and curse Yanks profusely. Must eat 2 kg of poutine, though, or the sanctity of your endeavor is wasted.

[Darnell 8,478]

Having said that.... Texans are people all of their own. My husband refers to himself as being Texan before American! I have been told in no uncertain terms that I will never be considered Texan, even if I live there for the rest of my life, because I was not born there. But that's quite alright with me! As much as I love my (Texan) husband....I am and always will be a proud AUSSIE!

Texans are __NOT__ Southerners. Tis a different breed, altogether. Once yer in the State, it'll become more apparent..

Hang In There !

[Stuart and Thea 95]

In general, no.

Please pay attention to where you live, if any 'concealed firearms permits' are issued in your new state of residence.

TIA !

PS, in consolation, however, is ok to throw poutine parties on Fridays or Saturdays, invite yer Canadien friends, close the doors, put towels at the bottom seams, and curse Yanks profusely. Must eat 2 kg of poutine, though, or the sanctity of your endeavor is wasted.

I'm more the fries and mayo or fries and gravy type, but I plan on beating my son if he ever starts saying zee, or says lightbulbs were invented by Edison, or anything stupid like that. I fiendishly hope there are Canadians there, in fact, I've told my honey that he needs to call me immediately if he ever has a Canadian check into the resort. I'll just suck the maple leaf vibe outta them.

[P & T 14]

I, and most other Canadians, and English, lol, most of the world really, I'm sure... refer to the Americans collectively, and fondly, as Yanks. We know that only some of you qualify for that distinction according to your own terminology, but it's the way it is.

The question then, is if I'm living there, is it okay to still call you Yanks, or do I then have to start regionalising you into the various kinds of Americans?

That leads to another question... What are the various regional monikers? I do know Yanks, Southerners and hillbillys, but am unsure exactly where the lines are drawn, and what other regional monikers I'm missing?

I was going to stay out of this because I know we are all speaking and joking in the spirit of fun.... but at the same time I feel you should be warned.

Some folks already hinted at it - but I think you are better off leaving all monikers out of your language.

I find that most folks here dont like being labeled anything and wont look at it fondly unless it comes from someone they consider a buddy/friend or someone they count as being in their close knit circle. Anyone that I have only recently met who used a label on another person in front of me even though I am a stranger in their presence - would be quickly categorized as a person who lacked manners, has poor judgement, uncouth and likely not to be invited into my company in the future.

Be very careful with that... may not get you beat up or shot as some have implied - but it can definitely ruin your reputation and convert you to an outcast. I know I wouldnt want to have to monitor your conversation if I invited you to a social situation in my home with diverse company and I certainly wouldnt want that language used around my children.... no matter how sweet a person you are.

[SWA2 1]

“To a foreigner a Yankee is an American.

To an American a Yankee is a Northerner.

To a Northerner a Yankee is a New Englander.

To a New Englander a Yankee is a Vermonter.

To a Vermonter a Yankee is a person who eats apple pie for breakfast.”

(Traditional saying) Michael Owen Jones

Journal of American Folklore (Spring 2007)

[nane1104 146]

I was going to stay out of this because I know we are all speaking and joking in the spirit of fun.... but at the same time I feel you should be warned.

Some folks already hinted at it - but I think you are better off leaving all monikers out of your language.

I find that most folks here dont like being labeled anything and wont look at it fondly unless it comes from someone they consider a buddy/friend or someone they count as being in their close knit circle. Anyone that I have only recently met who used a label on another person in front of me even though I am a stranger in their presence - would be quickly categorized as a person who lacked manners, has poor judgement, uncouth and likely not to be invited into my company in the future.

Be very careful with that... may not get you beat up or shot as some have implied - but it can definitely ruin your reputation and convert you to an outcast. I know I wouldnt want to have to monitor your conversation if I invited you to a social situation in my home with diverse company and I certainly wouldnt want that language used around my children.... no matter how sweet a person you are.

Very well said!

Hubby and I are using these kinds of nicknames on occasion but only if nobody else is around and because we know what and how we mean it when we call someone a "redneck" for example. I wouldn't dare to use any of these monikers in public or in the presence of people I am not close with because I kind of sense that a lot of people use these names more to describe a certain "type" of person rather than describing the region he/she is from.

[keysjangle 145]

Tbh I wouldn't concern myself with all this. Also being a Canadian, I understand where you're coming from though. To me, a "yank" is someone from the north eastern U.S. Redneck/hillbilly are umbrella terms applicable in both Canada and the U.S. I also see it from a British point of view where "yank" seems more derogatory, not just a nickname. Just call people their names, or if you don't like them, idiots/morons/d*ck heads, etc ... or a Newfie. They won't get it, but you would