Why did British sailors have the nickname "Limey"?

Question

paki · Answer

any idea...?

inowalst · Answer

I was looking around and it said because they drank lime juice? Not sure if that's right..

paki · Answer

"Long before vitamins were recognized as being essential to the diet, medical officers in the British navy noticed that even extreme cases of scurvy cleared up rapidly if the sufferer ate citrus fruits. The Royal Navy therefore instituted the practice of carrying stocks of limes and giving each sailor a daily ration of lime-juice. This resulted in British ships being called lime-juicers by U.S. sailors. Over time, the scope of the term was extended to include the British sailors and, eventually, all Britons.

Just to put your mind at rest, Limey is no longer considered offensive but, originally, it was intended as an insult. "

inowalst · Answer

Oh. Hm. That's interesting. Thanks.

paki · Answer

pleasure... :)

theraggedydoctor · Answer

dot.