Why Yankee Doodle called it "macaroni"

What's the deal with Yankee Doodle Dandy and macaroni? Vox's Phil Edwards explains.
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More background here: www.vox.com/201...
We've all heard the Yankee Doodle Dandy lyrics and wondered what they meant. But the Yankee Doodle song turns out to have a surprisingly logical explanation.
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[@ramenm_]

Vox asking the real questions

[@rollinthunder1000]

+starrychloe we kinda don't....

[@pieman8200]

That's actually terrifyingly inhuman.

[@aidanwansbrough7495]

ramenm very true...

[@demonspecialist67]

Yankee Doodle went to town, riding on a pony. Got 360 noscoped and rest in pepperoni.

[@demonspecialist67]

._.

[@Vampire_Serana_of_Volkihar]

Shadowfeather Frowncrest Haha good one.

[@RonaldPrescott1]

rip in pepperoni*

[@tsrenis]

@@vietshiro7923 no it stands for rip

[@razz9323]

@@RonaldPrescott1 thats wrong

[@wooderdsaunders4640]

Imagine if Yankee doodle was the American national anthem.

[@crixxxxxxxxx]

It’s Connecticut’s State Song.

[@OfficialLify]

​@@crixxxxxxxxx Yes your right.

[@maxkiler99]

truly based anthem then

[@ianswift3521]

@@maxkiler99 BASED COMMENT FAM 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@akramh9982]

Anyone else realized you haven't had macaroni and cheese for awhile?

[@jacobdalland1390]

+Ash R It's been YEARS.

[@giuliadivirgilio3755]

I eat pasta everyday of course i eat maccheroni

[@cranci]

Never actually

[@isakfredriksson5782]

cheeno same...

[@goldenkeegan2891]

How did you know?

[@monicabao8835]

Omg Lafayette you absolute savage.

[@willparkinson]

I always thought it was the horse he called Macaroni.

[@Blarmoshlashkin]

+Will Parkinson Dang dangling participles!

[@starrychloe]

+Will Parkinson - That's a great name for a race horse. They always have crazy names.

[@princereechaos133]

"Macaroni secured the victory for us!"

[@chistinelane]

same here...

[@Fabrosi54]

The horse's name was Friday

[@CloudySkies17695]

I know why he called it "macaroni". It rhymed with "pony".

[@emsontop]

@Ahmed G. Phony

[@reddeadman6707]

😂

[@theleanmonster3735]

Yes

[@stalino7]

LOL

[@maxpeck7382]

He could have called it Baloney.

[@mandylou4]

LAFAYETTE!

[@Vox]

Everyone give it up for America's favorite fightin' Frenchman!

[@gravitybringsmedown5236]

the lancelot of the revolutionary set.

[@tyrannosaurus62]

+poolerboy0077 no it was probably American fries

[@natrone23]

+mandylou4 Long Live the Marquis!!!

[@alexiacuzzo3600]

+mandylou4 im taking this horse by the reigns making red coats redder with bloodstains

[@jackiechau6562]

lol the hipster checklist xD

[@55giantsfan22]

I don't want fop damn it, I'm a Dapper Dan man

[@apollofell3925]

Watch your language son, this here's a public market. Now if you want Dapper Dan I can order it for ya, have it in a couple of weeks.

[@CitrusFruitMuffin]

+Apollo Fell Well ain't this place a geographical oddity. Two weeks from everywhere!

[@justdonnaplease]

i just shed a tear in pride

[@bigmike9128]

55giantsfan22 it will be two weeks.

[@apollofell3925]

big mike you didn't even try

[@Redorgreenful]

So they sang the song back to the British IRONICALLY like the hipsters they are

[@alwaysoneperson768]

@Santino EGL NA nope there still hipsters but also winners

[@quaes2878]

I got so excited when they mention Lafayette and The Battle of Yorktown.

[@gregbard]

My hometown, Norwalk, Connecticut has the claim that the soldier, Colonel Thomas Fitch, V is the person that inspired this song. His sister put the feathers in the soldiers' caps so as to create a uniform look from a group without any uniform. His grave marker has an account of the story in the East Norwalk Historical Cemetery. Norwalk has a bridge named the "Yankee Doodle Bridge." and Yankee Doodle is the state song of Connecticut. Unfortunately, the song was around about 12 years before the events described in the legend occurred. So the legend could not be true.

[@jacksonchontos2910]

No way I went to school in Madison and they taught us the same thing

[@gregbard]

@@jacksonchontos2910 What did they teach you? That Madison is the home of Yankee Doodle, or that Norwalk is. I am pretty sure the song is at least 14 years older than the French and Indian War.

[@jacksonchontos2910]

@@gregbard yea about Norwalk

[@newecreator]

Macaroni and Cheese. Meal of Champions.

[@iilikecereal]

Holy shit I needed this video

[@vangard0]

+iilikecereal Didn't know I needed it till I saw it

[@crystallin6776]

I personally thought that it was: "Yankee Doodle Drew His Gun And Fought His Macaroni" I didn't know how it made sense but I followed it anyway. #IMSTUPID

[@JonathanCox2000]

Paitience Diamonds threw it at a nearby girl that was riding on a pony. XD

[@brianathomas3730]

Was online a good twenty minutes before getting any of this titillating and concise information. I am absolutely impressed. Keep more content like this coming and I will be sure to let friends and colleagues know of your awesome brand of knowledge sharing.

[@memicoot]

That's so much like my bro Lafayette - what a jokester!

[@Un039]

Ikr

[@Khalidazizphoto]

This so called italians dish "Mac&Chees" sounds more like the german dish wich ist called Kässpätzle (Käs(e) = Cheese, Spätzle tiny noodle wich got their name from the romian (former italian) which called that noodles spezzate what means broken/cut (noodles). Kässpätzle is served with a lot of onions, cheese and bacon

[@spiff2268]

Yeah, but that doesn't rhyme with pony.

[@eloiseannicle]

I'm British and I used to sing this as a child, as did other children I knew. I had no idea at the time it had anything to do with America (not being familiar with the term Yankee yet) it was just a fun silly nonsense to me.

[@awakenow7147]

I'm an American, so I grew up knowing that the song was patriotic in nature. But when traveling, I too noticed that people in other places tend to play it..

[@COLMECTIGAMINGANDMORE]

@@awakenow7147 it was first used by the british to mock the us but then the us turned it into a patriotic song and now it’s everywhere

[@JesusHComedy]

I thought it was a phrase that meant oh he has gone crazy

[@teethgrinder83]

Jesus Herrera Comedy exactly what I thought too-but I much much prefer the real truth behind it lol well up until vox told me the song ended up being thrown back at us Brits when we surrendered 😆 swings and roundabouts I guess! Haha

[@harryzhang4660]

Now I understand clearly... I always like this song and like to sing it when marching from class to class :) and now I understand finally the macaroni

[@courtneymerritt777]

Lafayette being cool as always

[@palmaandrew68]

Large baguette

[@suunkarra5763]

The argument they say at 0:49 could be one explanation. However, another could be since these young aristocrats where taking the Grand Tour of Europe they would also be well educated, therefore they could be able to use Macaronic language. This is when two or more languages are mixed together, in this context it would often be for comedic effect. The best example I can think of is "Do you have to go the bathroom?, Oui Oui!". So the macaronis could be named after their usage of the Macaronic language at the time as well.

[@calliereynoldz9767]

I so appreciate history.......loved it. If I was home schooling you would be on a must see list of videos.

[@natrone23]

LONG LIVE THE MARQUIS!!!

[@sewinmusewynn6957]

I've seen this and your snail video. I now love your channel.

[@estherharms5756]

This song just got a million times better.

[@ConswaMcGaga]

I already knew this. 2 smart 4 you vox! does that make me a hipster? and does that make me a macaroni? i wish you guys had mentioned how dandy fashion was a response to how flamboyant and opulent macaroni was, and so it favored masculine, simple materials and styles. which is really interesting because when the word dandy is used today, it's to describe someone who is vain and overly interested in fashion.

[@NoVaOnYT01]

the definition of macaroni is "A person that over dresses in fancy clothing"

[@jamiengo2343]

What's more surprising is why Yankee decided to put a feather in his hat or cap or whatever. And who is Yankee?

[@gamingelke6968]

Great Jamie yankee is an American, why we are called that, don't know, but then again why do leaves fall from trees

[@stixtheminer]

Well, I'm off to eat some macaroni.

[@evilherojain4412]

Did someone say CIVILIZATION?

[@richardturner6981]

Now i know where the macaroni part of Yankee Doodle comes from. Macaroni actually goes way back to the 15th century, something else i didn't know.

[@sinbadk.7667]

The little specks in the backround were making me 😜

[@panzerfan]

Americans: Maybe the true macaroni are the friends we made along the way.

[@itoldjaso]

Yankee Doodle: You have the advantage over me; You see, you know my name, but I don't know yours. Macaroni: Well, what name do you like? YD: Well, I've always been fond of the name, "Macaroni." M: Well, that's a coincidence, because my name happens to BE Macaroni."

[@noahrobinson5954]

the Patriots where all like "no you."

[@thevigilant6884]

Who else is watching this on 4th of July eating macaroni and cheese?

[@joepuhel2428]

way better than today I found out!!

[@HEILIGERRomer]

Mac and cheese be bussin.

[@PrincessMuk]

LAFAYETTE!!!!!

[@SuperBonobob]

I always thought he was naming his pony macaroni.

[@TheChowster]

My 2nd grade teacher said it was macaroni because of the penguins. Idk why she told us that

[@Danielevans2]

this is brilliant

[@NoVaOnYT01]

0:10 hat NOT CAP and also lafayette

[@realblackbetty2204]

Libtits nowadays would side with with the British. The British got their asses kicked my a bunch of Yankee farmers and we made the greatest country in the world.

[@alvarefdoggy04]

Rock lore: 🥱 Rap lore: 🥱 Nursery Rhyme lore: 😎

[@reylouiselumbang1237]

"fop" 😂😂

[@BeachyBird001]

K😕🤬

[@mythicaltoaster931]

bruh im not even watching this for school😂

[@AlenaManoonpol]

wonder what alexander hamilton said at york town when lafayette started singing ¿¿

[@lizm2991]

alena jade I bet he joined in😂

[@lemontigers4188]

I was actually just thinking about this when this popped up on youtube

[@tanayabray4292]

we all no it means fancy

[@youchoob8090]

It was this, or the Battle Hymn of the Republic, or Star Spangled Banner

[@howardhurtt6612]

Brilliant history lesson but it needs a squirt of sriracha.

[@Brand.on18]

So they were spitting' bars?

[@SwampNymph522]

Those lyrics confused me as a child. But it makes more sense now that i know macaroni was a fashion craze in the 16 and 1700s. The first thing that came to mind was the foodstuff.

[@parrisnia72]

Mac & cheese is my favorite food ever

[@fig1]

Interesting!

[@charliebrown3607]

Great scott! its Doc Brown! 1:46

[@apollofell3925]

Hahaha! Perfect.

[@TheVideo878]

The Hamilton jokes are giving me all of the life IM SCREAMING

[@patriot1525]

filth

[@DSAhmed]

"Yankee doodle went to town, riding on a chicken. Stuck his finger up his b*** and called it finger-lickin'." Alternate version we sang in Jr. High.

[@ssgtrom9739]

Love it

[@jamiengo2343]

You're not supposed to deepen your voice at the "went to town" it's supposed to be at the same note

[@drakoclears]

Macaroni is also a Jamaican,Bahamian Food side

[@Falkriim]

Very interesting

[@nelloscarico8225]

For the last time: maccaroni cheese is NOT an Italian dish

[@n0denz]

1:41 "Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!"

[@TheActiveAssault]

I had Jumpstart 3rd grade as a child

[@isaacezekielthecolorblindg7343]

Is this the odd1sout

[@kevin_2942]

No this is Patrick

[@daveotuwa5596]

BARNEY & FRIENDS' theme song has the same, exact melody as "Yankee Doodle". The song is on my obsolete keyboard on the majour side of the song bank.

[@maryzaire7573]

I noticed that

[@ashaa1540]

Next video: why old mcdonald had a farm

[@officerdonut7066]

*See i already knew this i only clickeld On the video because it was a thorn in the recommended bar each time i Listened to Yankee doodle on youtube.*

[@maxdukefox]

Love it..

[@shep1634]

Has anyone else known about this for a while?

[@jorge6207]

The guy you have at 0:35 as XVII century is actually a XVIII century guy dressed normally. RIP History.

[@patchythepirate541]

i know why he called it "macaroni" when Yankee Doodle get out of his car there is somebody who try to steal it, then Yankee Doodle shout out to his body guard named Ronnie: "MY CAR RONNIE!!!"

[@sergiomora7381]

So there was no macaroni club in England?

[@beatstar2]

never wanted to punch my monitor so much

[@hilmanluthfi742]

You're listening to Enclave Radio,

[@whostolehonno]

Nice singing Phil

[@RamblinRick_]

At the time, there were hundreds of versions of this song. The tune goes back to the 1400s

[@benkaiser2208]

So when I sing Yankee doodle should I not feel pride in america? It feels like vox is trying to talk more smack than the revolutionary war British right now.

[@elliotmason5694]

*18th century trolling at its finest...*

[@andreajaderegala6535]

mentions marquis de lafayette my brain: do it me: NO my brain: *LAFAYETTE!*

[@proudkat9790]

great. Now I want some mac&cheese. (┳Д┳)

[@alexismartin7216]

I think the barny song was inspired by this classic song. :)

[@asy527yearsago9]

in a nutshell: british: noo you cant just use our song about hating you and making a song about a pride! america: haha yankee doodle go splankee doodle

[@Skinnymarks]

Oh my god. one day the references to things being hip will confused the heck out of people.

[@rozamunduszek4787]

okay someone please explain to me what's the difference between "pasta", "noodles" and "macaroni". Isn't it all the same?

[@89Crono]

Rozamunduszek Pasta are made from wheat and water. Noodles can be made from any starchy material egg, rice, beans, etc. . Macaroni refers to a specific type of pasta that's long and hollowed out in the middle

[@rozamunduszek4787]

Thank you! :D

[@aidanwansbrough7495]

Cool!!!

[@KCandFriendsUSA]

He actually called it Rica Roni, MELVIN!!!

[@wskorusa]

Vox Poland Was In Your Map And I Live There xDDDDD

[@darkwarriors...]

Brits love there jokes By the way I'm british

[@jamiesilva3575]

1:52 Nightmares i will have NIGHTMARES

[@rye-the-man9734]

My nightmares will have nightmares.

[@pipestud3corncobpuffer785]

I slightly disagree with this because the American Revolution rejected the whole concept of the aristocracy or ruling class. What we Americans did was turn Yankee Doodle into a protest song against the upper classes of England and France. We got the French to help us fight against England, but at the time France was at odds with the British monarch. A dandy was slang for someone who dressed and acted like the elite but looked down on the working class or common man. Horses were a sign of wealth and expensive in those days. So a dandy riding into town on a pony with a feather in his cap symbolizes connections to the aristocracy. Calling it macaroni means a desire to be like the elite in dress, mannerism and wanting to hold onto the nobilty.

[@rangergxi]

The American revolution rejected monarchy and a certain idea of tyranny. It did not reject the idea of an elite ruling class.

[@randomtimez4613]

1:41 Ev’ryone give it up for America’s favorite fighting Frenchman! Lafayette! Immigrants get the job done

[@georgesmith1778]

Well Jeffy from SML sang that song yacklo doodle and called it macaroni

[@T3MPL3TillIdIe]

Now eating macaroni is more meaningful then ever. Ugh.