limey

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lim·ey

(lī′mē)

n. pl. lim·eys Slang

1. A British sailor.

2. An English person.

[Short for lime juicer (from the use of lime juice on British warships in order to prevent scurvy).]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

limey

(ˈlaɪmɪ)

1. a British person

2. (Nautical Terms) a British sailor or ship

adj

British

[abbreviated from C19 lime-juicer, because British sailors were required to drink lime juice as a protection against scurvy]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

lim•ey

(ˈlaɪ mi)

n., pl. -eys.

usage: This term is usually used with disparaging intent and perceived as insulting, although it is sometimes used as a neutral nickname.

—n. Slang: Usu. Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a British sailor.

2. an Englishman.

[1885–90; so called from the use of lime juice on British ships to prevent scurvy]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun

limey - a man of English descent

John Bull

Englishman - a man who is a native or inhabitant of England

Translations

limey

[ˈlaɪmɪ] N (US, Canada) (pej) → inglés/esa m/f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

limey

n (dated US inf) → Engländer(in) m(f)

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

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References in periodicals archive ?

Americans call us 'Limeys' because the Royal Navy traditionally provided lime juice for their crews on extended voyages to reduce the incidences of scurvy resulting from the lack of fresh food.

The truth behind why we're Poms

In the ear-splitting, speed-freak bent of their spiritual predecessors and fellow Limeys Motorhead, Orange Goblin's latest batch of songs is nothing less than music for lifers--the thickest of thick rock shot through with horror-flick references ("The Fog," a nod to the 1980 John Carpenter classic of the same name); biker-cult motherfuckery ("The Filthy & The Few," "Death Of Aquarius"); and sci-fi drug benders ("Acid Trial").

Orange Goblin

Classic children's book Where The Wild Things Chris Evans - see Question 7 limeys? Are was written by which author?

Quiz of the Day

At one time the Americans used to call us limeys, which doesn't sound very nice, but we used to laugh about it.

BRUCIE: I'M NOT RACIST; STRICTLY HOST'S PEACE BID BACKFIRES ON HIM

"At one time the Americans used to call us 'limeys' which doesn't sound very nice, but we used to laugh about it.