The "Yankee."

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 192, 19 February 1887, Page 8

The "Yankee."

Thirf nre comparatively few people who know the origin or meaning of the term " Yankee," by which we are accustomed raore or losb affectionately to designate our American cousins born in the United States. lv view of tho approaching American Exhibition of the Arts, Inventions, Manufactures, and Products of the United States to be held next year at Earle's Court, Kensington, and which has already been nicknamed in some quarters "The Yankeriee," it may bo of interest to readers to know what the word means, When the Pilgrim Fathers landed on Plymouth Rock the friendly Indian asked of what people they were, to which query they replied, " Englu-h " But the red man could Dot twist his tongue around that word, and " Yengeese" was &t near as ho could get to it. It was but a very short time, and by a natural and easy transition, before "Yankees." The use of this word also is peculiar. The people of the Southern States call all northerners, both east and west, " Yankee?, 1 ' as will be remembered by those familiar with the great Civil War. The people of the western States call only those living in the eastern States, or east of the Hudson River, " Yankees," and these are the only people who acknowledge the tiams, and always co describe themselves. On the other hand, all the English colonists and the people of Great Britain invariably call all citizens of the United States •' Yankees," and when abroad they cheerfully accept, and are generally proud of, the title, which, as we have seen, naaans and irf only a corruption of the word.