The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-09-25
WHY WE ARE CALLED YANKEES.
Origin OF the Nickname Applied to, North
Americans.

Origin OF the Nickname Applied to- North
Americans.
Everyone is aware that the word
yankee" is applied abroad indiscrim-
inatcly to all citizens of the United
States, but it is used generally as a
nickname" and not always in COM
plimentary spirit. Our Spanish friends
just at present are doubtless inclined to
apply it in sneering and derogatory
sense, but however it may be used by
them or other Europeans, it has long
since ceased to carry with it the slight
est sting of latent satire. From term
of rcproach or ridicule it has become
to the citizens of the United States
verbal badge of honor, and is now syn
onymous the world over with shrewd-
ness, enterprise, pluck and achieve
ment.
Its origin is uncertain. Accord
ing one authority yankee" is q
variation of "yengecs," or "yaung-
hees," 90 name said to have been
given by the Massachusetts In
dians to the English colonists, be-
ing, as it is supposed, an Indian
corruption of the word English or of
the French Anglais. Washington Irv-
ing, in his history of New York, eX-
plains the derivation somewhat differ
emily. The first settlers of New Eng
land, he says, came to America Ito en-
joy, unmolested, the inestimable right
of talking. And, in fact, no sooner did
they land upon the shore of this free
spoken country than they all lifted up
their voices and made such a clamor of
tongues that we are told they fright
ened every bird and beast out of the
neighborhood, and struck such mute
terror into certain fish that they have
been called dumb fish ever since.
1.-THE simple aborigines of the land
for awhile contemplated these strange
folk in utter astonishment, but discov-
ering that they welded harmless
ly, ingenious, good-humored race of
men, they became very friendly and So
ciable, and gave them the name of
Yankoies, which is the Mais-Tchusaeg
Tor Massachusett) language signifies
silent men-a waggish appellation,
since shortened into the familiar epi-
thet of "Yankees." 1t had gained great
currency as descriptive of the colonists
in 1855, when DR.. Schuckburgh, British
surgeon, is said to have composed the
words of yankee Doodle" in derision
of the colonial militia, but the tune to
which it was set is declared to have been
popular in England during the Com
monwealth, ut which period its dogger-
ell words, it is alleged, also existed and
were applied to Cromwell.
Whatever it's ancestry and original
Specification, it has come in the light of
history and accomplishment to be a
designation of which the people Of this
country have no reason to be ashamed.
They have no objection to being called
by nickname which is associated with
daring, skill, energy and triumph, that
even when used in derision or anger
creates in the mind of the very railer
and scoffer secret feeling of envy,
The Englishman, Frenchman, German,
Russian, Spaniard and the rest will have
to content themselves with their mar
row national appellations, except on
special occasions of merit, when they
show themselves worthy of being dec
GRATED with the Yankee cross of honor
and being complimented with the title
of English, or French, or Spanish Yam
KEGS. The suggestion as to the selection
of other nickname than yankee" may
be wise, but it is not practicable. No
body 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 cap.-Baltimore Sun.