The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-21
WHY WE ARE CALLED YANKEES.

Origin of the Nickname Applied to
North Americans.
Baltimore Sun.
Everyone is aware that the word
yankee is applied abroad indiscrim-
inately to all citizens Of the United
States, but it is used generally as
nickname" and not always in COM
plimentary spirit. Our Spanish friends
just at present are doubtless inclined
to employ it in a sneering and deroga-
otory sense, but however it may be
used by them or other Europeans, it
has long since ceased to carry with it
the slightest sting of latent satire.
From term Of reproach or ridicule
1t has become to the citizen of the
United States a verbal badge Of honor,
and is now synonymous the world over
with shrewdness, enterprise, pluck and
achievement.
It's origin is uncertain. According
to one authority, yankees is vari-
alton of 'yenkees," or ''yengees," or
'yaunghees," "a name said to have
been given by the Massachusetts In
dams to the English colonists being.
1t Is supposed, an Indian corruption.
OF the word English or of the French
Anglals." Washington Irving in his
history of New York explains the deri-
walton somewhat differently. The first
settlers OF New England, he says, came
10 America Ito enjoy, unmolested, the
lnestlmable right Of talking. And, in
Iact, no sooner did they land upon the
shore OF this free-spoken country than
they all lifted up their voices and
maze such clamor Of tongues that
we are told they frightened every bird
and beast out Of the neighborhood.
and struck such mute terror into GER
tain fish that they have been called
dumb fish ever since.
The simple aborigines Of the land for
while contemplated these strange
Iolk IN utter astonishment, but discoy-
ering that they welded harmless
though noisy weapons, and were a
lively ingenious good-humored race
OF men, they became very friendly and
sociable and gave them the name of
Yanokies, which In the Mails Tchusaae
Tor Massachusett) language signifies
silent men-a waggish appelIation
since shortened into the familiar emf
tibet Of yankees" 1t had gained great
currency as descriptive of the colo
British surgeon, is said to have com
posed the words of Yankee Doodle"
IN defls1on OF the colonial militia. but
the tune to which 1t was set Is de-
clared by some authorities to have
Deen popular In England during the
commonwealth, at which period it's
ooggerrel words, 1t Is alleged, also ex-
listed and were applied to Cromwell.
Whatever its ancestry and original
slgn1fication, 1t has come in the light
OF history and accomplishment to be
designation Of which the people Of
thls country have no reason to be
ashamed. They have no objection to
being called by nickname which is
so associated with daring, skill. energy
and triumph that even when used In
deris1on or anger 1t creates in the mind
OF the very railer and scoffer secret
feeling of envy. The Englishnfan.
Frenchman, German, Russian, Span
lard and the rest will have to content
themselves with their narrow national
expectations, except on special occa-
sions of merit, when they show them
selves worthy of being decorated with
the yankee cross of honor and being
complimented with the title of Eng
lish, or French, or Spanish yankees.
The suggestion as to the selection of
some other nickname than yankee
may be wise, but it is not practicable.
Nobody would ever adopt It, here or
abroad. Let us be content with the
designation as it is We can stand it
If our Spanish cousins can.