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The word "Yankee" originates in calling early Dutch colonists Jan-Kees, Jan and Kees being common Dutch male names.
by tromp 5y ago
The word "Yankee" originates in calling early Dutch colonists Jan-Kees, Jan and Kees being common Dutch male names.
- ZeroGravitas 5y agoJan is the equivalent name as John, Ian, Ivan, Ewan, Euan, Yan, Jean, Juan, Giovanni, Hans, Shaun, Sean, Jock, many others. Amazing how many terms for 'foreigner from <place>' or 'random man' all resolve to variants of the same common name.
- freemint 5y agoIf you are wondering about Hans. Johann -> Johannes -> Hannes -> Hans
- thematrixturtle 5y agoOne theory is that Kees is a dialectal version of "kaas" (cheese), so Jan Kees is "John Cheese".
- mikelevins 5y agoWhich is what the name of Monty Python member John Cleese would be if his father hadn't decided to change it to "Cleese" because he didn't like being named "Cheese".