Using the Word "American"

[SamuelT]

So the reason you hate it is because you are interpreting it a different way. Instead of seeing it as a person who lives in Europe who's country I cannot identify you see it as they're all the same.

However what should I use when I'm saying something like "I was jealous when the Europeans got Xenoblade Chronicles, but I'm happy it's finally coming to America."?

Try using 'Europe.'

'Cause it's where we live, but not who we are.

No shit sherlock, who said otherwise?

Why is Europe better than people who live in Europe (also read European)? Is mentioning that people live on that continent offensive to you?

Fuck dude, stop it with that attitude. You asked me for a proper replacement for 'European' in that specific sentence and I gave you one.

I do find myself a bit annoyed when being called a European simply because I've always been called Dutch, and whenever someone calls me European I think they're wrong because I've never been called as such.

 

[Arakasi]

Oh noes! People getting their pants in a knot over a word that has no implied, or intended, offence!

I just call those people dumbasses.

 

[Ascarus]

Why do so many people on the internet get upset at that word? "American" has referred to the people living in the US since its formation. In fact, the word referred to those people for over a century before the country was founded. Why do people get so worked up over it?

because people will get offended by anything. even harmless labels.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

Stop calling us all Europeans and we'll stop calling you all American

Pretty much this... people associate words with certain things. I was brought up understanding 'American' to mean from the continents of North and South America... for someone from the US to mean themselves when they use it just sounded ignorant at first to me... I hear is so much in the meda and stuff, and lately from my new US colleagues, that I have grown accustomed to it...

The thing is though meanings of words are important... like the difference between Great Britain and the UK, these are different things, and the UK encompasses not only Northern Ireland, but also the other smaller territories such as the channel islands and the Falklands!
Then you also have the hoards of idiots who refer to the Brits as the English... that is a sure fire way for pissing a lot of people off as you meet them! Ironically it also tends to be the people you really don't want to piss off!


Then again the USA technically misusing the term American is the same as the UK misusing the term European... ie we use the term to mean everyone else in Europe and not ourselves... it gets confusing when my US and Canadian colleagues use the term Europeans, and are referring to us!

 

[Darkmantle]

What would they prefer us to call them, stations? ofvans? unitedians? the country's name is "the united states of America" America being the only word you can shorthand to represent nationality. I'm a Canadian there are Europeons, there are English, French, Irish, why should the USA be the only country that does not have a shorthand word to represent someone who was born there?

in short, what should I call "an american"?

EDIT: I DO take issue with someone calling ME an american though, it grinds my gears, I'm Canadian damn it.

EDIT2: Also, there is NO continent called "America" so using the word "American" does not refer to North American (North America being a continent) or South Americans (South America Being a continent) specifically. It only refers to people from the USA.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Why do so many people on the internet get upset at that word? "American" has referred to the people living in the US since its formation.

I think the original people were called Amerindians.

In fact, the word referred to those people for over a century before the country was founded. Why do people get so worked up over it?

Because often it's used to denote a culture with numerous abilities assimilating other cultures abilities and broadcasting them as it's own?

 

[CMDDarkblade]

Because often it's used to denote a culture with numerous abilities assimilating other cultures abilities and broadcasting them as it's own?

Yes, the United States of America is like the Borg from Star Trek. All will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

 

[LetalisK]

however since then the US goverment has been ruled either by Bush (lol, fat chance of him doing a migratory reform)

To be fair, Bush was in favor of open borders, but this was in direct opposition to the rest of his party and going against the Republican party as a Republican has detrimental effects on your career, even as President.

 

[DoPo]

So the reason you hate it is because you are interpreting it a different way. Instead of seeing it as a person who lives in Europe who's country I cannot identify you see it as they're all the same.

I don't hate it. Who says I did? I may not like something but it's not a black or white matter.

It does sound like you think we're all the same. It would be similar to me asking you as if I asked you "So was the USA in South or North America?" because I can't make the distinction between them. I'm making an assumption here but you don't call Russians, Iranian, Indian and Japanese people all Asian, do you? Because the countries do have some differences.

In the end, we can have decide how we identify ourselves. I have a friend who prefers to call himself Bavarian rather than German because he was born and grew up in Bavaria but doesn't identify himself with the whole of country. He does distinguish between "home" and "Germany" - "home" is Bavaria and "Germany" is just sort of there but it's not really his home. Is he wrong in this? I don't think he was and I did respect his choice. Is Bavaria any more special than the rest of Germany? I don't know myself, however, it was special for him and I think that matters.

However what should I use when I'm saying something like "I was jealous when the Europeans got Xenoblade Chronicles, but I'm happy it's finally coming to America."?

Well, I confess - I should have said that I find it perfectly reasonable when speaking about the continent as a whole.

 

[samaugsch]

Why do so many people on the internet get upset at that word? "American" has referred to the people living in the US since its formation. In fact, the word referred to those people for over a century before the country was founded. Why do people get so worked up over it?

Personally, I think everyone who lives either in South America or North America should be considered American. Yes, by that logic that means even Canadians are American. ;D

I think we should change it to US citizens or something.

 

[Pyro Paul]

LOVE it? Prove that. I'd go with the actual Mexican dude who said they mostly resent America instead of your view that seems to be based on...

Your counter point is "Trust me, I'm Mexican."?
You want to re-think that maybe?

Unless if you truely believe that you can speak on behalf of the other 112 million individuals in your country, of which 70% live in 'poverty', 50% barely making ~2$ an hour.

Perhapse you can speak on behalf of the people in Apodaca? I'm sure they feel totally Safe right now and have great confidence in their government and country.

 

[bmasta]

I think that the use of "Americans", and the use of "it", btw when designating the united states is just the state's attempt to legitimize itself as a nation. Plus it's easier to say. But i still tend to think that there is a hint of jingoism when you call yourself by the name of the entire goddamn continent. Chinese don't call themselves Asians. If there is an alternative when using another language, i use it. Because it does slightly get on my nerves.

 

[Phisi]

Well, it is the nationality of the person, nationality being the country of origin/citizenship and not the continent they live in (except for Australia because Australia). It also doesn't make any sense to call them United Statesians because you'll also have to call people from various historical countries that same thing e.g The United States of Belgium and would you call people from Australia Commonwealthians?.

 

[wottabout]

I have only recently begun to notice the use of "USian" on the internet. At first glance I thought it might be an odd misspelling of "Asian," but then I realized what it meant. I hadn't really thought about the political correct-ness reasons, though.
I can understand people from the Americas being bothered that the US is hogging the term "American," but I don't know if much can be done about it at this point. But if saying "USian" makes people feel better, then maybe I will use it, although it seems stupidly awkward.

 

[Dense_Electric]

What else are you going to call us? United Statesians of America? That's just obtuse to even try to say.

We're currently the only country on either American continent with the word "America" in our name (to the best of my knowledge), it makes sense to call us "Americans." Aren't people from the Commonwealth of Australia just "Australians," even though Papua New Guinea and part of Indonesia are on the Australian continent? (Incidentally, I don't see anyone complaining about that little discrepancy). That's the generally accepted usage anyway, so unless you're going out of your way to be pretentious you should know exactly which country someone is talking about when they refer to "America."

 

[DoPo]

LOVE it? Prove that. I'd go with the actual Mexican dude who said they mostly resent America instead of your view that seems to be based on...

Your counter point is "Trust me, I'm Mexican."?
You want to re-think that maybe?

Unless if you truely believe that you can speak on behalf of the other 112 million individuals in your country, of which 70% live in 'poverty', 50% barely making ~2$ an hour.

Perhapse you can speak on behalf of the people in Apodaca? I'm sure they feel totally Safe right now and have great confidence in their government and country.

You want to start thinking? I never said I was Mexican, I pointed out the actual Mexican who posted said the general feeling was one of resentment. I'm pretty sure he'd know Mexico better than you.

In the end, we have your word against his. Well let's see.. some guy who can't read apparently and doesn't live in Mexico versus one guy who does and IIRC he's mentioned moving around a lot...

Nah, leave him. He can speak better on behalf of the other 112 million people of "your country". After all he has shown such a deep and profound understanding of them. Why would the words of an actual Mexican affect his opinion on what their opinion is?

 

[Brutal Peanut]

When someone asks me where I am from I usually just say, 'The States' and then tell them which state if they ask.
Seems to be enough information for most people. They usually get it right away.

 

[StarCecil]

I think that the use of "Americans", and the use of "it", btw when designating the united states is just the state's attempt to legitimize itself as a nation. Plus it's easier to say. But i still tend to think that there is a hint of jingoism when you call yourself by the name of the entire goddamn continent. Chinese don't call themselves Asians. If there is an alternative when using another language, i use it. Because it does slightly get on my nerves.

Why do so many people on the internet get upset at that word? "American" has referred to the people living in the US since its formation. In fact, the word referred to those people for over a century before the country was founded. Why do people get so worked up over it?

Personally, I think everyone who lives either in South America or North America should be considered American. Yes, by that logic that means even Canadians are American. ;D

I think we should change it to US citizens or something.

I can see where you're coming from, but the fact is that "American" referring to my countryman and our ancestors was inherited. As I've said, the first recorded use of the word, referring then to the British colonists, was in 1648.

 

[samaugsch]

I think that the use of "Americans", and the use of "it", btw when designating the united states is just the state's attempt to legitimize itself as a nation. Plus it's easier to say. But i still tend to think that there is a hint of jingoism when you call yourself by the name of the entire goddamn continent. Chinese don't call themselves Asians. If there is an alternative when using another language, i use it. Because it does slightly get on my nerves.

Why do so many people on the internet get upset at that word? "American" has referred to the people living in the US since its formation. In fact, the word referred to those people for over a century before the country was founded. Why do people get so worked up over it?

Personally, I think everyone who lives either in South America or North America should be considered American. Yes, by that logic that means even Canadians are American. ;D

I think we should change it to US citizens or something.

I can see where you're coming from, but the fact is that "American" referring to my countryman and our ancestors was inherited. As I've said, the first recorded use of the word, referring then to the British colonists, was in 1648.

Oh. I never was good at history. :/

 

[DeltaEdge]

I do think that it is kind of stupid and self-centered that when we say someone is "American", we are referring to someone only from the United States. I'm guessing we just took the name because it's easier than being called a United Statian, but still, we should've come up with a more unique name identifiable solely to us so that it wouldn't sound weird if we were called unitedians or statians so that we wouldn't have to hog the name American and soil it for everyone in North and South America minus us.