Is the term "Yank" offensive?

[Guest]

[MakTheYak]

Folks, I was wondering if one of our American forummers could let me know... manys a time I've been rude to Roz's American flatmates (when they are being so exasperating) and called them Yanks... the general rule is that they go upstairs (her kitchen is in a basement with steps up one way to the garden and steps up another to the main house) laughing!

I know where the term comes from - but in Modern day America would people find it offensive??

I had a flatmate at Uni who revelled in calling himself a Yank - actually he's a member of this forum! LOL and a LOTR fan to boot! He kind of got me into all this!

Any ideas?

[savage727]

Mark:

American's do not take offense to being called "Yank".  Well almost all Americans - folks from the South might object as some of them still think the Civil War is going on - our Civil War 1861 - 1865!!  

As a matter of fact I had a Wingman whose callsign was "Yank".  I have been called a "Yank" by soldier's from most countries in the world where I have served in so it is a common phrase used by many.

The only other group of people who would object to being called a "Yank" would be people from Massachusetts; in particular Boston where they have a Baseball Team called the Boston Red Sox whose mortal enemy is the New York Yankees Baseball Team.!!