German and Japanese Nicknames for Americans: A Look at Historical Slang

The Germans and Japanese did have names for Americans during World War II, but these nicknames were different in tone and origin from the English pejoratives like “Krauts” for Germans or “Japs” for Japanese. Both Axis powers developed terms influenced by language, culture, and wartime propaganda to identify and sometimes demean Americans and Allied soldiers.

In Japan, multiple terms referred to Americans, often reflecting broader views of foreigners. The Japanese commonly used Gai-jin (外人) or its longer form Gai-koku-jin (外国人), which mean “outsider” or “person from another country.” These were not inherently derogatory and remain in use today. However, during the war, some specific pejoratives emerged. One was Kichiku Beiei (鬼畜米英), which translates as “demon beasts of America and Britain.” This wartime insult dehumanized American and British soldiers by likening them to cruel ogres.

Terming Americans as Baijo (white strangers) or Doujin (dirty people) differentiated racial groups and was common in that era. The term Otaku once described Westernized Japanese citizens, though today it mostly means “anime fan,” which can confuse modern readers. Also used was Nanbanjin (Southern Barbarians), a historical slur for Westerners arising from early encounters via southern ports in Japan. Another slang phrase was “butter stinkers,” a humorous yet derisive label for Americans and other foreigners, related to culinary habits.

Among Japanese soldiers, the English acronym “G.I.” (General Issue or Government Issue) was adopted as a term for U.S. soldiers, reflecting direct encounters. As for Allied soldiers, American troops often labeled Japanese soldiers as “Nips,” derived from Nippon, the Japanese word for Japan, but this was primarily a usage among U.S. Marines during the Pacific campaign, rather than a Japanese term for Americans.

In Germany, American soldiers were usually called Ami or Amis—simple slang derived from “American.” Initially, during World War II, Ami was neutral but became more loaded during the Cold War, with some negative connotations. This nickname has endured in German usage to this day. Another English-based nickname was “Yankees,” used by Germans sometimes without negative intent.

More pejorative or descriptive German terms existed as well. The word Der Gangster was used to depict Americans as lawless or aggressive, borrowing the English term directly. There were also variants or translations of the World War I term “doughboy” to refer to American infantrymen.

German soldiers had specific nicknames for different Allied forces. For example, British troops were often called Tommy (from “Tommy Atkins,” the stereotypical British soldier) or Inselaffen (“island monkeys”), a derogatory term focusing on Britain’s island status. For Americans, the Germans used terms connected to Native American imagery; a WWII Luftwaffe pilot termed enemy fighters as “Indianer” (“Indians”), probably as a metaphor for Americans but potentially applied more widely to enemy airmen.

Notably, the German nickname for U.S. Marines was Teufelshunde, meaning “Devil Dogs.” This term originated from the Marines’ fierce reputation in World War I and carried into WWII, reflecting grudging respect more than slander.

In comparison, the Allies had their own slang for Americans, which were unrelated to German or Japanese terms. In France, Americans were nicknamed “Ricains” (short for “Américain”) and sometimes mockingly called “corned beef” for their stereotyped diets. British troops used terms like “Spams” and “Septics,” the latter from rhyming slang tied to “Yank,” to refer to Americans during World War II.

These nicknames reflect the military and cultural relationships and often arose from stereotypes, propaganda, or direct contact during combat. The Japanese terms included both neutral and highly offensive words that categorized Americans largely as foreign invaders or beasts. German slang for Americans combined neutral loanwords, direct English imports, and colorful insults reflecting suspicion, rivalry, or grudging respect.

The comparison reveals that while Germans and Japanese had their own terms for Americans, these were different from the English derogatory nicknames for Axis powers. Neither Germans nor Japanese widely used slang equivalent to “Krauts” or “Japs” specifically targeting Americans. Instead, their terms tended to be descriptive or propagandistic, occasionally humorous or envious, but usually not as crudely abbreviated or racially charged in the manner of Allied nicknames for Axis troops.

• Japanese used terms like Gai-jin (foreigner) and Kichiku Beiei (demon beasts) for Americans.
• Germans called Americans “Ami” or “Amis,” a mostly neutral slang that grew pejorative later.
• U.S. Marines were called “Teufelshunde” by Germans, a term mixing insult and respect.
• Japanese had racialized terms like Baijo and Doujin for different groups.
• Allied slang for enemies often had sharper intent than Axis nicknames for Americans.

Did the Germans and Japanese Have Names for the Americans Along the Lines of “Krauts” and “Japs”?

Yes, both the Germans and Japanese had their own nicknames and slang for Americans during World War II, but they were quite different in tone and usage from the infamous “Krauts” and “Japs.” While “Krauts” and “Japs” were direct and often pejorative terms used by the Allies, the Germans and Japanese had a mix of informal, slang, and sometimes derogatory names for Americans that reflected their cultural perspectives and wartime emotions. Let’s unpack these nicknames with some detailed context.

First, Why Did Nicknames Matter? Nicknames shape perceptions. They serve as shorthand in propaganda or battlefield talk. More than just insults, they reveal how one side viewed the enemy’s identity and character.

Japanese Nicknames for Americans: More Than Just “Japs”

Contrary to popular belief, the Japanese didn’t simply label Americans as “Japs.” In fact, the term “Japs” was mainly an Allied slang for the Japanese themselves. The Japanese had a more diverse vocabulary to refer to Americans and foreigners in general.

Take Gai-jin, for example, a key term that literally means “person not of this land.” This was a general word for foreigners, predating WWII and persisting today. When specifying nationality, the fuller term Gai-koku-jin (foreign country person) was more common around the war era.

But were there terms with more bite? Yes. Words like Baijo referred to “whites” or strangers, often used for Caucasians. More controversially, Doujin meant “dirt” and was reportedly used to describe African-Americans with obvious racial prejudice.

In wartime propaganda, there was Kichiku Beiei 鬼畜米英, which translates roughly to “Ogre/Beast America-Britain.” This reflected harsh anti-Allied sentiment and painted American and British soldiers as monstrous creatures.

There’s also an older historical term Nanbanjin, which meant “Southern Barbarian.” White Europeans arriving in Japan entered through southern ports, and this term carried a pejorative edge in the Meiji era, though it’s rarely used today.

Oddly enough, some Japanese slang also included the humorous “butter stinkers,” a playful jab at Westerners. And let’s not forget G.I. – a shorthand for American soldiers derived from “General Issue” – which was recognized during the war.

Interestingly, the term Otaku once described Westerners in Japan but has since morphed into modern slang meaning Japanese pop culture fans, so don’t confuse them!

German Terms for Americans: Friendly Slang to Fierce Insults

Now, let’s switch theaters and look at German nicknames for Americans. Unlike the simple yet crude “Krauts,” which was Allied slang for Germans, the Germans had a variety of terms with mixed tones toward the Americans.

The most neutral and common was Ami or Amis, derived simply from the word “American.” It was everyday slang, not inherently negative. However, during the Cold War, this term sometimes took on more political weight.

Germans also sometimes called Americans “Yankees,” a nod to the American Civil War-era nickname still used internationally to mean Americans.

German soldiers had some striking nicknames for the Allies: the British were known as Inselaffen, or “island monkeys,” clearly a cheeky insult reflecting British island isolation. Similarly, Tommy was a friendly or mocking nickname for British soldiers, analogous to the English nickname “Jerry” for Germans.

For Americans, there was less direct slang but terms included Der Gangster (the gangster), reflecting a perception of Americans as tough or lawless. Not exactly flattering, right? Meanwhile, the term Tuefelhunde (Devil Dogs) was specifically used by Germans to describe the U.S. Marines, borrowing the American Marine Corps nickname but in a grudging, war-hardened way.

From a Luftwaffe pilot’s memoir, “Indianer” was used for enemy fighters, likely referencing Native Americans. Whether this applied solely to American pilots or all Allied airmen is unclear, but it’s an intriguing glimpse into aerial combat slang.

Political insults like Bolschewik were generally aimed at Russians, but sometimes picked up as an indirect jab at Americans and British because of their alliance with the Soviets.

So, Were These Terms Equivalent to “Krauts” or “Japs”?

Not quite. “Krauts” and “Japs” were blunt, popular Allied slurs that simplified the enemy into a catchy insult. The Germans and Japanese had multi-faceted terms ranging from neutral (like Ami or Gai-jin) to deeply offensive (Kichiku Beiei or Inselaffen). They often reflected historical, cultural, and political nuances not captured by those simple Allied slurs.

For instance, “Ami” is closer to slang than insult. Japanese “Gai-jin” could be used affectionately or just neutrally for foreigners. When pejoratives were used, they carried vivid imagery (Beasts, Devils) that went beyond the mere nationality call-outs.

Why Does This Matter Today?

Understanding these terms helps us see wartime language beyond stereotypes. It reminds us that nicknames and insults are shaped by culture, history, and psychology. It even invites us to ask: how do modern conflicts shape our own language about “the other?”

Next time you hear “Krauts” or “Japs,” think about the layers behind the language from all sides. Language can wound or humanize, depending on how it’s wielded.

If you’re fascinated by wartime slang and want to explore further, consider reading memoirs from soldiers and civilians alike. They give real context to these nicknames—sometimes funny, sometimes harsh, always revealing.

Summary Table of Nicknames

Language is a powerful tool. The nicknames from WWII show how complex attitudes toward enemies can be, ranging from respect to ridicule. So, next time you wonder about war slang, remember: it’s rarely just about an insult. It’s a story about culture, fear, respect, and sometimes humor.