Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
name
A song or nursery rhyme about colonial Americans, later adopted as a patriotic song of the United States.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A native or inhabitant of British America or, later, the United States.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic, derogatory, sometimes
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An American citizen born on the 4th of July.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Mid-1700s, from Yankee ("derogatory, American colonist") doodle ("fool") dandy ("foppish or vain man"), the chorus of the eponymous song. Originally a derisive term and song about American colonists created by British regulars during the French and Indian War, from the alleged tendency for Americans to place feathers in their hats in imitation of the fashions of British aristocracy; the usage of dandy insinuated that Americans were low-class and lacked masculinity. The song was quickly reclaimed by Americans, who added verses mocking the British, and it came to prominence as a patriotic tune during the American Revolution. Doodle is likely from Low German dudel (“fool; one who plays music badly”). Yankee is of uncertain origin, but likely ultimately from Dutch Janke, a pet name. See Yankee.
