# Origin of the word "Yankee"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-word-yankee/581757>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [May 13, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-word-yankee/581757 "2011-05-13T04:01:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rosella\_alm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/0ea827/32.png) [@rosella\_alm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rosella_alm)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-word-yankee/581757/1 "2011-05-13T04:01:13Z")

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My grandparents name was Yanke. One ‘e’ at at the end of the name. My grandfather was of northern German origin, from Breslau, in what is now part of Poland. I offer this as a point of information, no more.

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**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-word-yankee/581757/2 "2011-05-13T13:23:38Z")

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Link to the column in question: [What is the origin of the word "Yankee"? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/506/what-is-the-origin-of-the-word-yankee)

As least, I assume that’s the column you’re commenting on? If not, let me know and I’ll provide a correct link.

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**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-the-word-yankee/581757/3 "2011-05-13T14:28:39Z")

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As I understand it _Janke_ is most probably a diminutive of _Jan_ (=John).