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.