limey

[ lahy-mee ]

/ ˈlaɪ mi /

Slang: Usually Disparaging and Offensive.

noun, plural lim·eys.

a British sailor.

a British ship.

a British person.

adjective

British.

Words nearby limey

limestone, limestone lettuce, limestone pavement, limewater, limewood, limey, limicoline, limicolous, liminal, liminality, limit

Origin of limey

First recorded in 1885–90; see origin at lime-juicer, -y²

usage note for limey

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for limey

limey

/ (ˈlaɪmɪ) US and Canadian slang /

noun

a British person

a British sailor or ship

adjective

British

Word Origin for limey

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

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