Skip to main content

Mysteries of vernacular: Yankee - Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel

83,424 Views

1,206 Questions Answered

Mysteries of Vernacular

Let’s Begin…

Is it a doodle dandy? A baseball team? The origins of the word yankee are unclear, though its usage in America as a pejorative is well-documented. Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel track the varying levels of contempt that the word yankee has elicited from the pre-Revolution era to today.

Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.


About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

Video created by
TED-Ed
Lesson Plan created by
TED Ed

More from Mysteries of Vernacular