Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-07-26
ORIGIN OF "YANKEE.,, r..

To the Editor Of The Wing:
A few DAYS ago noticed in the ewing" the etymo-
logy of the word Yankee. 1t there given as
dervatve from the Cherokee word eakks, signiiying
coward and slave and was said to have been applied
to the New Enganders first by the Vrgnians, for not
assisting them in a war with the Cherokees.
This explanation of the origin of that word OF dis
graceful notorety and contempt, reminded me OF haY
ing seen its eymOogy once before, IN Frank Moore
" Diary of the American Revolution, and upon re-
ierring to il find ii as follows:
when the New England colonies were first settled
the inhabitants were obliged to fight their way against
many nations of Indians They found but little dii
Guilty in subduing them ALL except one tribe who were
known by the Of falkoos, which signifies nrne-
b, After much waste Of blood and treasure, the Yam
koos were at last subdued by the New England men,
The remains of this nation (agreeably TO the Indian
custom) transferred their name TO their conquerors
For while they we're called Yankoos, but from cor
ruption common to in all languages, they got in
time the name of Yankees. name which We hope
will soon be equal to that Of Roman, or an ancient
Engshman"
This derivation is given merely as matter Of curl
osity and with no desire that it should supPant the
hrst Indeed We would not have it so. In determiu-
ing the eymology OF word should have strict re-
gard 10 its meaning as well as its similarity 10 that
from which we suppose 1t TO be derived. The etymo-
logy OF Yankee, as taken from the volumes OF MIR
Aubrey possesses both of these requisites in an emf
nent degree and the NirgnianS of the present day will
heartily accord their fathers of the old Cherokee
times an entire and correct appreciation OF the cha
racer of the New Enganders, and most happy se!ec
ton in the given them. The latter derivation
presents the recommendation of similarity with suft
cent force but entirely fails in that of meaning, al
least so far as the application of inrncbhy Is suitable
as generally understood.
That the Yankees are nyincible not TO be conquered
surpassed, oudone in many things, is beyond ques
ton or doubt An endless catalogue of the baser qua
lte to be ioHnd in might be given, TO which they
NAV lay claim Of invncibty without dispute, and the
world will cheerfully admit lis justice. But when
the question is one of the higher and nober qualities
OF which man may rightly be proud, there Is much
room for contestng their claim and they are daily di
minishing their chances of making it good.
Assuming, for a moment the correctness of Moore's
explanation OF the word, thought two Is suggested
Ii the departed Nankoos have carried to the spirit
world any feeling of hatred revenge towards their
conuueros we may suppose that it is entirely satisfied
by the rich legacy of a name which they have be-
queathed them Doubtless, the plains and forests of
their spirit hunting grounds resound with yes of the
widest Joy as they think of the unmitgaed contempt
which this name everywhere bears with it, so that even
the legitimate possessors Of it ashamed to own it.
The writer from whom Moore quotes his eymoogy
expresses the hope that the Twill soon be equal
to that of Roman or an ancient Engli,hman.' This
hope has been fully realized though perhaps not in the
sense intended by HIM 1t is equally well known, but
mentioned with what different thoughts and feelings
They are as different as pride from shame. Anywhere
in the enlightened world point out man as Yankee
and his whole character is known At once. The by
standcr will draw every article OF clothing tightly 10
hi, person and especially thrustng both hands deep in
his pockets, will hastily leave him a dangerous per-
son be brought in contact with. The whole comPo-
,tion of the man radically defective and as an old
friend would say you must born him over several times
before you can make proper man out OF him And
It source of great satisfaction TO know that even
the political ties and associations that bound Us to such
a people have been ,undered forever.