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.
2. (US, Australia, New Zealand, slang, derogatory) An Englishman or other Briton, or a person of British descent; an English or British immigrant.

   Synonyms: (Australia) pommy, (Australia) pom

   • 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

Anagrams

• EMILY, Elymi, Emily, Miley