limey

American  

[lahy-mee] / ˈlaɪ mi /

noun

plural

limeys

1. a British sailor.

2. a British ship.

3. a British person.

---

adjective

1. British.

limey British  

/ ˈlaɪmɪ /

noun

1. a British person

2. a British sailor or ship

---

adjective

1. British

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.

Etymology

Origin of limey

First recorded in 1885–90; lime-juicer, -y ²

Example Sentences

Or make a meal of appetizers and salads: consider bright, refreshing, limey chicken or pork laab with lots of purple-edged shallot, sweet onion and peppery scallions.

From Seattle Times

It tasted like creamy and minty and limey and — hallelujah! — generally delicious.

From Washington Post

I love turning grilled salmon into a salad, smothering it in a spicy, limey dressing while it’s hot so it can absorb all the flavors.

From New York Times

The straw-colored Bellevue she brought tasted bright, very slightly limey, rounder than some and excellent as a foil for the buttery richness of the chicken liver pâté.

From Seattle Times

She pairs golden and limey evergreens with interesting bits of nature in red and orange, like rosehips and holly or Pyracantha berries.

From Seattle Times