THE AMERICAN NICKNAME.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 December 1917, Page 4

THE AMERICAN NICKNAME.

In our efforts to assist our American cousins to find a suitable nickname for their soldiers we should be careful not to wound susceptibilities or to reopen old 'sores (says the "Daily Chronicle"). "Yankee" will never do for the man from the Southern States. Let us offer a word worthy of them and worthy their acceptance. The obvious name—to include Northerner, Southerner, and the man from "out West" is—"Samsons!"

But really no exception should be taken to the word Yankee, which is an honourable title. When the New England colonies were first settled, the inhabitants were obliged to fight their way against many nations of Indians. They found but little difficulty in subduing them all except one tribe, who were known by the name of Yankoos—which signifies invincible. After the waste of much blood and treasure, the Yankoos were at last subdued by the New Englandmen. The remains of the nation (agreeable to the Indian custom) transferred their names to their conquerors. For a while they were called Yankcos; but from a corruption, common to names in all languages, they got the name of Yankee.