Limeys

[Redhand]

I imagine that will get quite a bit of viewings if anything

But i just wanted to bring up another little history tidbit regarding the history of that American slang regarding the British.

Apparently it derives from when the Royal Navy would come into American ports and knock out drunken American blokes coming out of pubs and whatnot.

Then the only thing they would feed the yanks is limejuice...thus 'limeys'.

Interesting stuff...but probably widely known.

[Andy O'Pray]

One of my more informed colleagues will probably elaborate on this. It was recognised by the RN that the way to prevent scurvey was to digest citrus fruits, which included limes, hence the name limeys.

Aye - Andy.

[Hyperlithe]

That's where I thought it came from, but I'm always prepared to be proved wrong.

[Redhand]

I would be gladly knocked out to join HMF

Any takers?...lol

[lew]

Yep that’s what I was told to. The limes were a prevention method for scurvy because the navy couldn’t get their hands on oranges during the war. The yanks got wind on this and dubbed our sailors limeys.


lew

[Wholley]

Redhand.
I think you may have got two stories mixed up.
The lime juice as mentioned is correct,but the knocking out bit probably refers to the press gangs used by the Royal Navy to man their ships o war.
The operation was quite simple.Get them so drunk they passed out or bludgeon them with belaying pins and the like,throw the unconcious bodies into the jolly boat sling them aboard and set sail before they woke up.Instant Jack.
The poor sods earned less than a regular Matelot and were not allowed shoreside in case they jumped.They could expect to be aboard ship for two years or more.
I feel eyes upon me,
I think someone is going to correct me here.
Wholley.

[Redhand]

Right,

But wasn't it American boys they would knock out and drag aboard?

[Andy O'Pray]

Yep that’s what I was told to. The limes were a prevention method for scurvy because the navy couldn’t get their hands on oranges during the war. The yanks got wind on this and dubbed our sailors limeys.


lew

Lew, I don't know which wars you are referring to, but one has to go back pre-Lord Nelson when referring to the use of limes.

Aye - Andy.

[Andy O'Pray]

Redhand.
I think you may have got two stories mixed up.
The lime juice as mentioned is correct,but the knocking out bit probably refers to the press gangs used by the Royal Navy to man their ships o war.
The operation was quite simple.Get them so drunk they passed out or bludgeon them with belaying pins and the like,throw the unconcious bodies into the jolly boat sling them aboard and set sail before they woke up.Instant Jack.
The poor sods earned less than a regular Matelot and were not allowed shoreside in case they jumped.They could expect to be aboard ship for two years or more.
I feel eyes upon me,
I think someone is going to correct me here.
Wholley.

The most infamous press gang officer was Lt. Andrew Miller RN. He was so successful that the sailors often referred to the RN as the Andrew. A referrence that is still made to this day. Men would be press ganged from around the world, including, but not exclusively from the Americas.

Aye - Andy.

[Archie]

'twas found to combat scurvy on long voyages, when a diet of salt pork and hard tack would lead to scurvy and decimate a crew,

and did it work OK for you Owdun?

[lew]

Lew, I don't know which wars you are referring to, but one has to go back pre-Lord Nelson when referring to the use of limes.

Andy I was refering to the 2nd world war, as this is where I was told they were used, I had no idea that the term "limeys" went back that far.

I guess you learn something new everyday.

lew

[Chappy]

As above, scurvy was a huge problem for English sailors in the 1600s and 1700s. Dr. James Lind discovered that lemon and lime juice could combat it, so the Royal Navy made sure that all sailors had lemon juice to drink when they were at sea for longer than one month. The sailors thought that it was the acid content of the lemon juice that cured scurvy (vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid). Doctors thought that lime juice would work better because it has more acid than lemon juice, so they substituted lime juice for lemon juice on the English Royal Navy ships.

[Langarotti]

The history of any deadly disease is sad enough. The story of scurvy might be the saddest of all, because it's actual cure was suggested almost as soon as it appeared but was sidetracked for more than two centuries.

During the seven years war almost 134,000 seaman were lost to the disease, while only 1,512 were killed in action.

Even when it was recognised that a ration of Lime juice would prevent the disease. It did not become law until 1867. Many ship owners would often use cheaper alternatives such as lemon juice mixed with alcohol, to cut costs, Or if lime juice was on board; it would be deducted from the crew's pay.