Yankee facts for kids
The word Yankee (sometimes called Yank) has many different meanings. It usually refers to people from the United States.
Outside the United States, people often use "Yank" to mean any American, even those from the Southern states. But within the Southern United States, "Yankee" often means someone from the Northern states, or specifically from the New England area. Sometimes, people in the South use the word in a less friendly way.
Elsewhere in the United States, "Yankee" often refers to people from the Northeastern states, especially those with strong cultural ties to New England. This can include people whose families have lived in colonial New England for a long time, no matter where they live now.
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What Does "Yankee" Mean?
The word "Yankee" has changed its meaning over time and depending on where you are. It's a nickname that helps people understand where someone is from or what group they belong to.
Yankee Around the World
When people outside the United States say "Yank" or "Yankee," they usually mean any person from America. It's a simple way to talk about someone from the United States of America.
Yankee in the Southern United States
In the Southern parts of the United States, the word "Yankee" has a more specific meaning. It often refers to people from the Northern states. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), soldiers from the Southern states (called the Confederates) used "Yankee" to describe the soldiers fighting for the United States government (the Federal army).
Yankee in New England
Sometimes, "Yankee" specifically means someone from the New England region. This area includes states like Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. People from New England are sometimes called "Yankees" because of their unique history and culture.
Images for kids
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Loyalist newspaper cartoon from Boston ridicules "Yankie Doodles" militia who have encircled the British forces inside the city
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New Netherland is to the northwest, and New England is to the northeast.
See also
In Spanish: Yanqui para niños
