Betting

[sex goddess]

Can anyone out there tell me why the bet yankee is called

[poortony]

don't know but you could try googling

[Quizmonster]

The word in this sense dates back only to the 1960s in print and probably the immediate post-war years in speech. It is a multiple bet involving doubles, trebles and an accumulator rather than anything straightforward such as a win single.
Accordingly, I'd guess it relates to the American tendency in those days always to claim the biggest , best and most wonderful of everything...in other words to go over the top. Some British gambler or bookie probably thought calling the complex bet a Yankee gave expression to that penchant, suggesting that only an American - originally - would try such a thing.

[teddysbears]

i have googled this and it can be known as a canadian bet . 4 horses doubled and trebled makes 11 bets does not say american but it all points to it. hope this is of help

[Quizmonster]

A Yankee involves four horses combined as six doubles, four trebles and one 4-horse accumulator...11 bets. A Canadian also involves the same plus the four singles...15 bets.

[Quizmonster]

My apologies. The last sentence in my answer immediately above is not correct. A Canadian - also known as a Super-Yankee - involves five selections combined as 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds and 1 five-fold...26 bets. What I described is called a Lucky 15 by most bookmakers. Sorry.