limey

limey

See also: Limey

English

Etymology

In adjectival senses, equivalent to lime +‎ -y.

In the sense of “Englishman”, reduced from the 19th century term lime-juicer (“British ship”), from the lime juice British ships carried to ward off scurvy.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈlaɪmi/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aɪmi

Adjective

limey (comparative limier, superlative limiest)

1. Resembling limes (the fruit); lime-like.
2. Of, or pertaining to, limes (the fruit).

   This drink is full of limey goodness.

Noun

limey (plural limeys)

1. (dated, slang, derogatory) An English or British ship; an English or British sailor.
2. (US, Australia, New Zealand, slang, derogatory) An Englishman or other Briton, or a person of British descent; an English or British immigrant.
   • 1956, Ian Fleming, chapter 15, in Diamonds Are Forever:

     Ya look like anything ’cept a tourist who’s come to lose his wad and they get a bad case of nose trouble. Take yaself. Anyone can see ya’re a Limey even before ya start talking.

Alternative forms

• Limey

Synonyms

• pommy (Australia), pom (Australia)

Anagrams

• EMILY, Elymi, Emily, Miley