Yankee Doodle Dandy

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

A recent HBO special “Assume the Position with Robert Wuhl” argued that the Macaroni in this tune referred to a gay social club in London (thus the insult to the Americans). This is not in the Straight Dope review of this tune. Any thoughts?

2

Maccaronis were certainly a British social group in the Colonial days, but the evidence that they were “gay” is arguable. They were certainly “fops” and “dandies.”

From the OED:

3

Mr. Wuhl took several liberties with facts. He related the whole Pluck Yew story also which has been thouroughly debunked by many. But at least that one he said “Is it true, who cares, it is a great story …”

Jim

4

Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Board, Ralph C, we’re glad to have you with us.

When you start a thread, it’s helpful to other readers (saves search time) to provide a link to the Staff Report or column you’re discussing. In this case, Straight Dope Staff Report: What’s the song “Yankee Doodle” all about?

No biggie, you’ll know for next time. And, as I say, welcome.

Since I wrote the Staff Report, I can also say that I didn’t find any reference to macaronis being gay (at least, not in the sense of homosexual – gay in the sense of living a dandified, foppish life-style, sure.)

5

Yes it is. " In the early 1700s, the term “macaroni” was applied derisively to English dandies who affected foreign mannerisms and fashions, particularly French or Italian, which most British regarded as outlandish. Associating the term with the American colonists was a double insult. Not only were the Yankees putting on airs, they thought the way to do it was to put feathers in their caps, the rubes! "

6

Peter, I think the missing link here is Ralph C’s statement that the club was “gay.”

7

Yeah, but, as one theory has it, “Yankee” comes from “Jahn Caes” = “Johnny Cheese”, and, as we all know from the Civil War song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Johnny_Comes_Marching_Home
(Bolding mine)

…

8

Enough with all the gay stuff, entertaining as it is! I want to know about London and "the " pony’s, (I always thought it was “A” pony). In the flick with James Cagney he makes those distinctions, very directly. I shall start my own great search, and will inform, if not too boring. I’ve had this site as a fav for a couple of years, and now I respond? Go figure.
Dave