English Meaning & Definitions
A derogatory or informal term for a British person, especially a British sailor.
- “The old dockworker muttered a complaint about the limey sailors arriving at the port.”
- “While the term was once used as a slur, it is now often used in a lighthearted or mildly teasing way to refer to someone from the United Kingdom.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “limey”.
Originating in the mid-19th century, the term is a shortening of 'lime-juicer.' It was originally a derogatory term used by American sailors to refer to British sailors, based on the British practice of issuing lime or lemon juice to their crews to prevent scurvy, a practice mandated by the British Merchant Shipping Act of 1867.
Think of a British sailor holding a LIME to stay healthy, which makes him a 'Limey'.
Frequently Asked Questions About “limey”
1. What is the meaning of “limey” in English?
In English, limey (noun) is defined as: “A derogatory or informal term for a British person, especially a British sailor.”.
2. How do you use “limey” in a sentence?
“The old dockworker muttered a complaint about the limey sailors arriving at the port.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “limey”?
Originating in the mid-19th century, the term is a shortening of 'lime-juicer.' It was originally a derogatory term used by American sailors to refer to British sailors, based on the British practice of issuing lime or lemon juice to their crews to prevent scurvy, a practice mandated by the British Merchant Shipping Act of 1867.
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