From 1 to 10, how offensive is the term 'limey'?


From 1 to 10, how offensive is the term 'limey'  

91 members have voted

  1. 1. From 1 to 10, how offensive is the term 'limey'

    • 1 - I never even thought of it until I saw this poll.
      68
    • 2
      11
    • 3
      2
    • 4
      0
    • 5 - Kind of bugs me, but not really.
      3
    • 6
      1
    • 7
      0
    • 8
      2
    • 9
      1
    • 10 - That is like the 'n-word' to me.
      3


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I'm not Brit but why would they object? I don't think there is anything offensive about it. It comes from old times when the sailors would eat citrus to prevent scurvy. I don't object to being called a Yank.

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I guess with most things it's what's behind it that matters, if you think someone is saying it to you because to them it is really offensive then I guess it isn't nice. The only time I've ever heard it is jokingly though so it doesnt bother me one bit.

On a side note, has this got anything to do with where you are located curme? There is a big British base as well as an American one in that area isn't there?

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On a side note, has this got anything to do with where you are located curme? There is a big British base as well as an American one in that area isn't there?

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You're right. I'm on a British island, that houses a US Navy base, so there are a lot of Americans (like me, DOD civilian contractors). Sometimes I use 'limey', good-naturedly i.e. the British Royal Marines are fond of wearing dresses and women's clothing to the clubs on certain occasions. I would say, "Oh, it must be a limey thing!"

I just don't want to offend anyone. No one has said anything, but I was just curious as to whether my friends are too polite to tell me that they don't dig that word.

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Is it just an archaic, quaint term that really has no meaning, or do you find it personally offensive. Just curious.

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Oh but it does have a meaning. Back in the days when the British sailed the high seas the acquired a disease called scurvy. Scurvy is a disease of the gums do to the lack of Vitamin C. So what do the British do to remedy these long voyages, yep they brought

Limes with them.

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I'm an american-limey, so sound I say, a yankie-brit. I don't know.

I've only heard it being used as a joke, because there aren't many people in America that don't like Britain.

FYI: It's from revolutionary days, where British troops would suck on limes to prevent scurvy.

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you can call me what you like, i couldn't give a toss.

People who are offended by words need to get a life! :whistle:

At least being limey's we won't get scurvy :woot:

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Sometimes I use 'limey', good-naturedly i.e. the British Royal Marines are fond of wearing dresses and women's clothing to the clubs on certain occasions.

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Thats Sailor's for you :(

I prefer to be called by my first name, like I will call others by their first name (if I know it, if I don't I will ask).

Limey is insulting, I don't call Americans 'yanks' either as I don't know if they're a Yankee, they might come from another part of the U.S.

I digress, even worse is being called 'pom' I am not a Dog and only thing short for Australian I would use is Aussie!

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I don't particularly like it to be honest.. in the same way a German would probably hate to be called a Kraut or Americans dislike being called Yanks.. any kind of nickname is never particularly in good spirit so for that reason its a 6 for me. Just call me an English person rather than a Limey.

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