The term "yank" - how do you feel about it?

Im not sure if I posted this question in the correct category, but here it goes...

Another thread sparked my curiousity.  The term "yank" used for Americans - how do you feel about this word?  Do you hate it, could care less, etc?  Do you think it is derogatory?

Me personally, I dont care if they call me that, and I will call myself that.  I think its similiar to people calling pple in the UK Brits.  I think its harmless.  I am interested to see what the English, Scottish, Welsh etc pple on here have to say.

 

Well, seeing as how my own relatives from South Carolina would occasionally call our section of the family the "Damn Yankees"--I had heard it looooooong before I came to the UK. Honestly, the word doesn't bother me at all, but occasionally the tone of voice will make me raise my eyebrow. Usually it's someone's lame attempt at banter and not worth engaging with.
At least in my circle of UK friends, it is not automatically derogatory, but it is not as common as it used to be, maybe?

I personally dont like it and didnt like it even when I lived in the US.  However, when I have heard it used here, its not been derogatory, so I dont take offense to it.  One of my husband's friends calls me a Yank all the time trying to be provocative, so like Jennie said, its not really worth responding to it.

Usually it's someone's lame attempt at banter and not worth engaging with.

This. It makes me think slightly less of the person that's just used it.

Though not nearly as much so as the phrase "across the pond" (usually followed by a self-satisfied "huh huh"), which drives me crazy and instantly lowers my opinion of the user.

I don't the the term, but usually it's from my co-workers trying to be clever or something and almost always followed by some comment on friendly fire.

In my experience when people have used it, they are trying to insult without doing so directly.  So I don't like it. And I may be wrong for this, but it also makes me wonder what the person actually feels about me or people like me, and it makes me more guarded around that person(s).

I dont really like it, but I dont get all arms up the air about it. I agree with previous posters that people who tend to say it to me usually follow it with some American insult, which is what puts me off it.
I also think some people forget that in some parts of the world the term is used in a derogatory way. But I suppose every country has a term used for its citizens that can be misconstrued.

I don't hear it very often, but when I do it seems to be more in a jokey way than anything insulting. It doesn't bother me.

I don't really like it...but it doesn't make my blood boil or anything.  I know the term can be used in a derogatory way (although I've never met anyone rude enough to use it that way around me) but the people I have heard use it are friends and family so it is said in a joking manner.  I'm used to hearing the term since I'm from the South (US) and that's what a lot of people call those from up North.

I wouldn't compare the term to 'Brits' though...as Brits is a shortening of the word British and Yank is a totally different word from American.  You could perhaps compare the term to 'Limey' maybe (I think both actually originate from military slang)?

I agree with Shubbery. Calling me a Limey could rub me wrong and the same way calling me a Yank could do the same thing. Then again I might like the recognition that I'm not one of them.
Remember, "sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me"

The term limey was originally slang for British sailors, who were given lime juice by the navy to prevent scurvy.

 I dont care if they call me,a yank. There is alot worse names a person could be called.

you've heard the true definition of a yankee?

it's like a quickee but... !

ok, I'll be waiting for my ban notification now.
  
signed,

A yankee

you've heard the true definition of a yankee?

it's like a quickee but... !

ok, I'll be waiting for my ban notification now.
  
signed,

A yankee

Bahaha!!!!

The first time I heard 'yankee' was when learning the song 'Yankee Doodle Dandee' (or whatever it's called). Because of this, whenever I hear 'yank', I think of macaroni. So I guess the word makes me feel hungry.