[net.nlang] Etymology of 'Yankee'

koch@grofe.DEC (Kevin Koch LTN1-2/B17 DTN229-6274) (03/22/85)

> We were discussing the origin of the word "Yankee", which originally
> referred to New Englanders.  Webster's Third states that it is unknown.
> ("Yankee Doodle" is referred back to "Yankee".)  Does anyone know better
> or having any good speculation?

     'Yankee' ('yonqui', etc.) was the Indians' first attempt at 
pronouncing the word 'English' when they introduced themselves to each 
other.

						Kevin Koch
				...decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-handel!koch

Posted:	Fri 22-Mar-1985 09:11 Littleton Time
To:	RHEA::DECWRL::"net.nlang"