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limey

[ lahy-mee ]

noun

, plural lim·eys.
  1. a British sailor.
  2. a British ship.
  3. a British person.


adjective

  1. British.

limey

/ ˈlaɪmɪ /

noun

  1. a British person
  2. a British sailor or ship
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


adjective

  1. British
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Sensitive Note

This term (and the earlier lime-juicer ) was probably first applied by Americans to British sailors, used with disparaging intent and perceived as insulting. Historically, it also referred to a British immigrant in Australia. Later it became a more neutral nickname for any British person.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of limey1

First recorded in 1885–90; lime-juicer, -y 2
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Word History and Origins

Origin of limey1

abbreviated from C19 lime-juicer, because British sailors were required to drink lime juice as a protection against scurvy
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Example Sentences

Confusion over the catcher's eye black is just the tip of the iceberg for this befuddled limey.

Maybe they needed to do that because Freud himself was hardly a true Limey.

And I realize that I hate lime-stone, to live on lime-stone or marble or any of those limey rocks.

The same facts exist with regard to a loam, a calcareous (or limey) soil, or a vegetable mould.

A plasterer with limey overalls gazed at the wagon intently until it passed by.

We are a little mortary and limey at present, but we are getting on capitally.

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limewoodLim Fjord