limey

American  

[lahy-mee] / ˈlaɪ mi /

noun

limeys plural

1. a British sailor.

2. a British ship.

3. a British person.

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adjective

1. British.

limey British  

/ ˈlaɪmɪ /

noun

1. a British person

2. a British sailor or ship

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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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• limeys
  plural

Etymology

Origin of limey

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

limey limeys

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

From Washington Post ● Feb. 8, 2022

For a make-ahead, crowd-friendly drink, make this limey panela punch.

From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2021

Soft or crunchy tortillas, fresh cilantro, limey radishes and onions and the rest of that jalapeño, if you like it hot.

From New York Times ● Oct. 26, 2018

The corn tortillas help quesadillas achieve excellence, for once: thick but pliant, not too cheesy, served with limey, oniony, chunky guacamole.

From Seattle Times ● May 5, 2017

Not far away a stream flows out of a limey cave, rushes to the edge, and plunges off.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Off Falmouth, the transports, accompanied by three of the American destroyers and two English "limeys "—-as the British destroyers are known in the slang of the sea—-slipped off silently into the twilight.

From The Brighton Boys with the Submarine Fleet by Driscoll, James R. [pseud.]

For this reason the British Government legislated the carrying of limes on long voyages and today that is why British sailors are still called limeys.

From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Solomon, Steve