Why Do Americans Call Brits 'LIMEYS'?

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[jesselindsey]

As an American, I feel like I’ve only ever encountered this term in old movies. I haven’t heard it used often in conversation, so it’s hard to know whether it is playful or derogatory.

[arjaygee]

I am familiar with this term primarily through WWII-era films, but I can't say I can recall ever having seen or heard the term "limey" used in everyday communications to refer to a person or nationality. I _have_ heard it used to mean "lime-like" or "full of/covered in lime, " where "lime" refers to the caustic powder, not the fruit.

From my own short course of research:
1. The term is an abbreviated form of "lime-juicer, " first attested in 1857, when it was definitely both used as and perceived as a derogatory term. "Lime-juicer" referred both to a British sailor and a British warship. Much later, "lime-juicer" can be found in the works of both Robert Louis Stevenson and Jack London.
2. By 1888, "limey" was being used as slang for "British immigrant" in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, so it seems the US cannot really be blamed for inventing it. ;-)
3. The first US use is attested from 1918 (although it may have been used earlier), as a reference to both British sailors and British warships (just like the original "lime-juicer").
4. Etymology Online provides the earliest US attestation of "limey" being used to refer to a Briton in a non-naval context. "Midway Signs Limey Prof to Dope Yank Talk" was a headline in the 18 October 1924 edition of the Chicago Tribune. The headline referred to the University of Chicago (whose campus is in the Midway area of Chicago) having hired British lexicographer William A. Craigie to begin editing what eventually became the _Dictionary of American English_ . This usage seems to imply that the term was no longer being used solely in a deprecating manner. (I think.)
5. The general consensus seems to be that today, "limey" can be neutral, playful, or derogatory, depending on context. It's just that very few people, in my experience, actually seem to use it at all.

[noeljohnson]

In my 46 years on this earth in the United States I have never heard anyone refer to a British person as a Limey.

[jwbz]

I'm American and I've only ever heard "Limey" in old movies and it was always an insult, kind of like calling French people "frogs".

[hamilde]

My dad was stationed on a PT boat base in the south Pacific during WWII. I heard him refer to the British sailor's as Limeys. It seemed more tounge in cheek light hearted. He did express some mild frustration with them though. The British sailor's would get alcohol in their rations and would sell it to Americans at very high prices because the Americans couldn't get alcohol any other way (unless they had a still).

[vbrown]

I only ever hear this term in old movies. I don't know any Americans who use this term (or would even recognize it) today.

[anndeecosita]

Also as an American, I have heard this word used in American tv shows and movies that aren’t super old WWII. For example, I have been recently watching NCIS on Netflix and a CIA agent referred to a British major she was trying to paint as a traitor as a “limey bastard”. I knew exactly what she meant because I am familiar with the term limey and that she was saying this because he was British. I also know about its association with scurvy prevention. I also saw a Hugh Grant movie where he got called a “limey prick”. Only thing I can figure is could be other people hear it in media and it goes over their heads.
I don’t think limey in itself is derogatory but it can be used that way.

[paulavoorhees]

53 years old here from St. Louis, Missouri. Heard, used and remember being taught in school the history of Brits being called limeys. Most contexts I've heard it, it's been said more playfully than a mean insult.

[AnthropoidOne]

It’s an older generation thing. I haven’t heard it in decades. My dad used to tell me about that was post WW2 Germany. He was an MP so was probably guarding checkpoints with British, French and Russian soldiers. He loved you guys though😂

[anskee]

The term "Limey" can be used both offensively or in a teasing/friendly manner. American friends of British people can use it to tease in a friendly manner, such as "Hey Limey! Come have a sit-down and join me in a drink!" Now, you would never use that word unless you knew the person and they would allow you to call them that word. That would make it a term of endearment.
But, if used in a derogatory manner, it would be an insult. Just like calling a black person by the "N" word. That would be an insult and never used in that manner. Ultimately how you, as a British citizen, acted toward the offense would be up to you. I would suggest ignoring the person first and then, in a polite manner, asking them not to call you that if they persist in doing so.
But I hope your visits to America will always be friendly and enjoyable.

[johnp]

As others have said, 'Grog' was rum and water, as per the inset you displayed and not Whisky as you said?
Interestingly, 'Sauerkraut' was also served to British Naval personnel for the same purpose around that time, by the likes of Captain Cook and others. Maybe if that were better known at the time, we may have become known as 'Krauts' instead?

[pheenjpheenish]

limey came from way back in English history when sailboats were used as main source of transportation. Long voyages and little to eat but salted pork, a starch and a can of fruit (vitamin C gets mostly destroyed by canning) leading to scurvy. It is not exactly derogatory or light hearted (until recently) but I will try to explain myself. The days of sailing every time a ship would make port it would almost always look for the first lemon/lime tree because that is what they knew would end mild scurvy (and who doesn't want fresh fruit when you haven't had it for 2 months). Then when the ship leaves they buy every lime or lemon around, steal or even dig up trees to take (the negative side to it). But now a limey is used light heartedly because back in the day it was so important and now it is not, so it is used as just a way to refer to British sailors or British people (with an undertone of "I know what you guys went through and that is F up".

[craigozancin]

I haven't heard that limey reference used in a very long time outside of very old movies. Brits, British or English is what most use nowadays.

[christopherstephenjenksbsg]

I remember someone using the word "Limey" when the Beatles made their American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. "Why is everybody getting so excited about a bunch of God-damn limeys?" was his exact quote. He was an older man who didn't like rock music, and as an Irish-American with relatives in the IRA, he liked the English even less, so it was definitely a derogatory term. I can't think of any other time I've ever heard the word used. It's certainly not current in the US now.

[XiaoHanLiuYuJia]

I'm American, I'm 40 years old, have traveled the entire world and this is first time I have ever heard this term.

[timmystauffer]

I like some British culture things I have a handful of recently found British friends. I am learning some slang to use with them but I have not used it or heard it used negatively in my lifetime.

[robertgifoy]

It began in the sailing ship era, had a resurgence in the WWII era, and is now unheard of.

[sabinekantenseter]

I’m almost 53 ( used to be German but now American citizen ) I have heard the term Limey before but never knew the reason behind it. I never thought it being derogatory. I always just thought British people liked the tart taste of Lemons/Limes! 🤷‍♀️

[cmunoz]

I lived in America all my life and have never heard the term limey to refer to a British

[davidlejenkins]

Literally no one in America has ever called a British person a limey.