From the "Cesspool of Worthless Knowledge": Why are the English often called "Limeys"?

In keeping with my current theme of London, here's today's swimming lesson: The slang term used for an Englishman, Limey, comes to us from the Royal Navy. At a time when Britannia ruled the waves, English ships and men sailed all the oceans of the earth. This meant that British sailors often spent years at sea. With no means of refrigeration, keeping a steady supply of fresh food, particularly fruits and vegetables, was always a great challenge. Meat could be salted or cured for longer storage. But fresh fruits and vegetables were another matter. And no fruit, no vitamin C. No vitamin C and you get a disease known as scurvy. Scurvy attacks the connective tissue in the body causing internal bleeding. This is why British Sailors are often depicted in movies as having bleeding gums. It became as deadly as any canon ball. To combat scurvy, it was found that limes would do the trick; they are small and, so, can easily be stowed. They last a long time before spoiling. And they are very high in vitamin C. So, the sailors were encouraged to suck on limes while they went about their on-deck chores.

Whenever sailors from other countries encountered a British ship, many of the British sailors were smiling those green smiles we tend to do when we have a slice of lime in our mouths! :) Hence, they became known as limeys and it stuck in referring to all Englishmen.

Look for my thoughts on London, the Royal family and The Royal Wedding. Coming soon. On TalkFrank.