limey: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 (Rare/Historical)Informal, mildly pejorative or humorous
Quick answer
What does “limey” mean?
A mildly derogatory or informal term for a British person, originally a British sailor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mildly derogatory or informal term for a British person, originally a British sailor.
Used, often humorously, to refer to any person from Great Britain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an American term. Rarely, if ever, used in British English to refer to oneself. It is a term applied by others.
Connotations
In American usage: historical, informal, sometimes humorous or mildly derogatory. In British usage: the term is recognized as an American label for Britons, often viewed as an outdated stereotype.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern English. Most common in historical texts, old films, or as a deliberate archaism.
Grammar
How to Use “limey” in a Sentence
used as a nounoften preceded by a descriptive adjectiveVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “limey” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- He has a very limey sense of humour. (Extremely rare, non-standard)
American English
- That limey accent is hard to understand. (Informal, potentially offensive)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or sociolinguistic discussions of ethnic/national slurs.
Everyday
Rare; potential for offence. Used humorously among friends who understand the context.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “limey”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Using it in the UK to refer to someone directly.
- Thinking it is a contemporary, neutral term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be. It is a dated, informal label. While sometimes used humorously among friends, it can be perceived as derogatory or reductive, especially if used by a stranger or with negative intent.
Almost never to refer to themselves. They are aware of it as an American (and other Anglophone) term for them.
It comes from the practice of the British Royal Navy issuing lime juice to sailors in the 19th century to prevent scurvy. 'Lime-juicer' was slang for a British ship or sailor, later shortened to 'limey'.
No, it is very rare and considered old-fashioned. You are most likely to encounter it in historical contexts, old movies, or as a deliberate, humorous archaism.
A mildly derogatory or informal term for a British person, originally a British sailor.
Limey is usually informal, mildly pejorative or humorous in register.
Limey: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlʌɪmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Limey juicer (very old slang for a British ship)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of British sailors drinking LIME juice to avoid scurvy on long voyages. 'Lime' + 'y' (person) = Limey.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS DEFINED BY A DIETARY HABIT (metonymy).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'limey' be LEAST appropriate?