Why British Sailors Were Called "Limeys"

The slur "limey" (originally "lime-juicer") for British sailors dates to the early 19th century. Three leading theories:

1. Lime Juice Rations (most accepted): From 1795, the Royal Navy issued daily lemon/lime juice to prevent scurvy (vitamin C deficiency). British sailors stayed healthy on long voyages; foreign sailors (especially Americans) noted the habit and coined the nickname.
2. Lime-Washed Decks: Ships' decks were sometimes scrubbed with lime (calcium oxide) solution to whiten and disinfect; residue on sailors' clothes/skin reinforced the association.
3. Limescale Buildup: Hard water in ship's boilers and piping deposited calcium carbonate; British ships on long stations showed heavy scaling, leading to the epithet.

By the 1880s, "limey" extended to all British people in American slang. It is now considered dated and mildly offensive.