Log in or Sign up
limey love

limey

Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A British sailor.
  • noun An English person.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Resembling limes (the fruit), lime-like.
  • adjective Of, or pertaining to, limes (the fruit).
  • noun US, slang An Englishman or other Briton, or a person of British descent.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

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

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From 18th and 19th century British sailors drinking lime juice to ward off scurvy

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word limey.

Examples

  • It seems to me that "limey" is more affectionate than pejorative.

    Is "Magic Negro" CD Helping Saltsman In RNC Race? 2009

  • This use is probably responsible for the slang term "limey" which developed and was/is used to describe those having an English background.

    Archive 2007-04-01 Haalo 2007

  • Why: The leaves as well as the lime rind impart a sharp, unmistakable lime scent and taste that is more "limey" than regular limes.

    Archive 2007-01-01 Sara 2007

  • This use is probably responsible for the slang term "limey" which developed and was/is used to describe those having an English background.

    Weekend Herb Blogging #76 Haalo 2007

  • Why: The leaves as well as the lime rind impart a sharp, unmistakable lime scent and taste that is more "limey" than regular limes.

    K is for... Sara 2007

  • As a result of this discovery, British sailors planted lime trees at their ports of call and ate the fruit regularly; it's how the term "limey" got applied to them, and later by association to British people in general

    Global Nerdy 2010

  • Frankie Gambino was quick to point out that we saved the 'limey's homeland in WWII.'

    Doghouse Boxing News 2009

  • Frankie Gambino was quick to point out that we saved the 'limey's homeland in WWII.'

    Doghouse Boxing News 2009

  • Frankie Gambino was quick to point out that we saved the 'limey's homeland in WWII.'

    Doghouse Boxing News 2009

  • Frankie Gambino was quick to point out that we saved the 'limey's homeland in WWII.'

    Doghouse Boxing News 2009

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • bilby commented on the word limey

    Do the English themselves use this term?

    October 4, 2008

  • yarb commented on the word limey

    Only jokingly in the context or presence of America / Americans.

    October 4, 2008