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

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. 

 

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. 

  We used to sing this song in music class in elementary school (along with all kinds of other patriotic songs!)

I'm sort of torn about the word Yank. It would obviously depend on how it's intended and by whom. If my bf says it to me, I don't care. I know he's joking. If someone I don't know well says it like "Well, you yanks.." in a mean tone, then yeah, I wouldn't be happy, I guess. Of course, coming from Georgia, I'm not very keen on being referred to as a yank to begin with! I'm from the south!! lol

I'm not fond of Yank or Yankee, but I realize some say it with no ill intent.

I don't particularly like being called a Yank, but I'm from Texas and I don't believe it makes sense to call me a Yank.  When I first got called a Yank, I informed them that it is usually meant New Englanders, not Texans. Kind of ruined it for them 

I don't mind it.  Mostly because one of my friends I met in Australia while I was living at a hostel for 4 month used to refer to me as the "god damn yank" in an affectionate manner, haha.  It became a pet name (I know the English guys got called dirty Poms).  Probably not the most politically correct of all environments, but there was a lot of good memories there so I think of it fondly now 

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.

When I came to NC for college, I spoke about half a sentence before two girls started chuckling to themselves and blurted "OMG, She's a yankee!"  Coming from NJ, I never thought that there was anything strange about being from the north, but apparently there was!  It made me feel slightly uncomfortable, because this was the first time I'd been called a yankee.....and laughed at because of my accent!

In the UK, the only people who call me a Yank are my DB's best friends  (And perhaps the random people in stores when I ask about which item is the "brand-name"/"what works just the same?"  behind my back!) His friends all do it in jest, and then say "wait, so is that considered derogatory?"  I still haven't quite figured out whether it is or not, but I can't be bothered to worry about it..

I mean, apparently I am a "Yankee" (whatever that means) anyway!

When I lived in Alabama and Mississippi I got called a Yankee and a "Northerner" all the time, even though *ahem* I am from California.  I have a few friends that are Yorkshireman and they like to tease me and call me Yank, but they say in such an endearing manner I can't help but find it charming.

I don't mind it or find it offensive intrensically.

Having said that, insults are all about intent, and it can be insulting said in the right (or wrong) tone, and often is. 

it doesn't bother me..I have a lot of people here in the town refer to me as a yank..but they don't mean anything bad by it..I understand how it could offend some people...but there is too much stuff going on with living over here and adjusting then to let a name upset me..

If it isn't said in a nasty way I don't mind being called a Yank. 
I'm from the Northern half of the US and was proud to be a Yankee.  Unless it's in reference to the New York Yankees, my least favorite team ever, just above Man U.   

If it isn't said in a nasty way I don't mind being called a Yank. 

Exactly!

For me it is how it is used. Was it rude? Did it have ill intent? Was it joking? Was it affectionate?  Now if someone yelled at me then yes I would have a problem but my first problem would be the atittude not what I was called ;-0

It doesn't bother me...in fact I will use it to describe myself at times. 

I've quoted this before here:

To foreigners, a Yankee is an American.
To Americans, a Yankee is a Northerner.
To Northerners, a Yankee is an Easterner.
To Easterners, a Yankee is a New Englander.
To New Englanders, a Yankee is a Vermonter.
And in Vermont, a Yankee is somebody who eats pie for breakfast.

It depends on how it's used, as some others have said.  I've always felt a bit of pride about the term when it was used in the States.  There's really not another big area of the country which has such a cool phrase to describe them.

When my sister took her kids and moved down south for a few months before returning back north, her eldest son (a toddler at the time) learned that "Yankee" was a derogatory term, and my sister had mentioned how often her father-in-law (a southerner) would go one about the "Yankees".  We had this big reunion dinner when she moved back, and my nephew was making a total mess of his food.  My dad (probably as Yankee as they make them) said to him, "look at you acting like a Yankee."  My nephew acted like he had been smacked across the face.  He sat there with that shocked look little kids get before bursting out into tears.

But generally speaking, I think when it's used in both the States and abroad in a negative context, it says a lot about the speaker and less about the target.

What's wrong with pie for breakfast?   

What's wrong with pie for breakfast?   

Absolutely nothing. One of the highlights of Thanksgiving in my family is pumpkin pie for breakfast!