USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The British Army was called the Redcoats by the Americans because of the red tunics they wore. The bright red color of the wool coats made it easier to see each other in clouds of gunpowder smoke during heavy fighting.

Detailed explanation-2: -Though the term “redcoat” has a negative connotation in the United States since it was worn by British soldiers fighting against US Independence in the American Revolution, it has a far more illustrious meaning in the former British Empire.

Detailed explanation-3: -British soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War are often called “redcoats” because of their uniform color. When the conflict began, American Revolutionaries came up with negative names for these soldiers, based on that coloring, including “lobsters” and “bloody backs.”

Detailed explanation-4: -Until the late 19th century, most British soldiers wore a uniform that included some sort of red coat. During the American Revolution, George Washington himself referred in letters to British soldiers as redcoats.

Detailed explanation-5: -Present day English soldiers are often referred to as ‘Toms’ or just ‘Tom’ (the Scots equivalent being ‘Jock’). Outside the services soldiers are generally known as ‘Squaddies’ by the British popular press.