The word is a derogatory term used to describe Americans by the Brits, Canadians, Australians and the like; but in the USA used to define an American from the Northern States in the USA, such as New England and the Mid-West.

It was most notably used to describe to the Federal Solders and other Northerners by the Confederates during the Civil War Era. Even though some foreigner’s refer to all American’s as Yankees, does not make it so. Call a Southerner a Yankee and he’ll think you’re either just plain dumb or that you are trying to pick a fight.

The characteristics often associated with a stereotypical Yankee are shrewdness, thrift, craftiness, rudeness, arrogance, and loudness.

1) A group of millions of Americans, that are from the Northern states of the USA.

2) What british people call americans.
also called yanks

A term for members of the union during the civil war, but still used by southerners making fun of the norths bland food and squeaky accents.

1. Slang Term for an American Northerner used in the US, in other parts of the world, slang for American.

2. A Japanese juvenile delinquent, usually with bleached hair and part of a youth gang.

Their are three types of yankees:
1)Yankee-Someone who was born and still lives in the north.
2)Damn Yankee- Someone born in the north who moves to the south with intentions on moving back up north.
3)GD Yankee- Someone born in the north who moves to the south with intentions of staying in the south.

1. Derogatory term used by Brits, Aussies and Argies (from Argentina) to refer to Americans.

2. A southerner term to refer to a northern person.

People from the Northern part of the United States, who are sometimes also referred to as "northerners". Contrary to the popular belief, when you get to know a yankee most are not judgemental, rude, or arrogant as most Southerners steriotypically veiw them. Like any other person, once you get to know them they can be very kind and open minded.

Of course there are some ignorant yankees who believe steriiotypes about Southerners and believe that they are better than them in some way. But every region has it's dumbasses. Give us a break.