History of North America

What does the civil war term Yankee mean?

During the American Civil War, the term "Yankee" was typically used by Confederates as a derogatory term for soldiers and supporters of the Union, specifically those from the northern and eastern states. It originally began as a nickname used by Dutch colonists in what is now New York in reference to New Englanders but over time took on negative connotations associated with being an outsider or an abolitionist.

Some believe the term derived from the Dutch "janke," indicating a loud talker. Others posit that "Yankee" comes from Native American words such as "eankke" (coward) or "yangees" (strangers). Confederates frequently employed it disparagingly, often associating Yankees with perceived negative stereotypes about Northern culture and beliefs.

After the Civil War, usage evolved, and "Yankee" sometimes carries a less dismissive and more general connotation; nonetheless, its specific interpretation can depend on the broader context in which it is used.