Using the Word "American"

[Goofguy]

I wouldn't say it upsets me but the country is called United States of America. The same principle could be applied to my country, as in Canada of America or how about Mexico of America? Does that mean Canadians and Mexicans should be called Americans? Technically, yes. However, that term has always been associated with citizens of the United States so that won't change any time.

I don't really call them Americans anyway, mostly Yanks or Yankees. Maybe they should be called United Staters instead, who knows.

 

[Jewrean]

Let's call you USAians instead. Or Yankians. Or Hoorahians. Or GreedyInvadians. Take your pick.

 

[Chunga the Great]

Argentine, here. And here it pisses us off because they took over our CONTINENT'S name for them, and we see it as a way of saying "Yes, there's the rest of the continent, but we're the important thing, that why you can refer to the continent as just our country"
The entire continent is Americo Vespucio's eponym, not just the USA.
Knock it off and get another word already. Michael Moore expressed my very same concern about it and suggested the word should be "Usamericans"
And start calling your country by IT'S name, not that of a friggin continent. The petulance of it is obnoxious. Problem is, me saying this will only make them go "Oh, noes! They wants tak or freedm and patrtsm, those annoing latin fags, minutemen kill them nao plzkthnxlol let's call ourselves that ever more often to piss dose fukks off"

How about no. Almost nobody would react like that. Seriously, it may be hard to believe, but being born on a certain stretch of land doesnt automatically make someone a complete fucking imbecile. Nobody in the U.S walks around talking about "killin dem commie bastards cuz they want to take our freedoms. We R 'murican YEAH." I dont know what got that image into the heads of people who dont live in the U.S but it's annoying as all hell. Anybody worth a damn will call people from the U.S Americans and will call people from Argentina Argentinians. If someone calls someone from Argentina American, they are an exception to the norm and are either very ignorant or unaware of the proper term.

 

[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.

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.

Yeah i see what you mean. But the US government pushed its use for political reasons. Just something you could identify with. Cossacks and Tatars are in Russian turf. We used to call them like that, but things evolved and Russia insisted they be called Russians because they had to be assimilated. The US case is the same thing, just getting a name people could visualize as a unified people. Same thing in a lot of countries. Algerians were never "one" people, But they're called Algerians because one of the traditional names for the area was that. Only north Africa was called Ifriqya (latin for africa). Had those Algerian dudes called themselves Africans a lot people would have been pissed, although they have had that name since way before the 17th century
And i am not from Denmark . I just did the mistake of moving there. Am running back home to sunshine as soon as i can. It isn't Algeria either

 

[CMDDarkblade]

Jesús Cristo... If Latin American countries are so peeved about it they can just apply for statehood and then due to drastic demographic changes we'll make both English and Spanish our official languages. It will solve all our illegal immigrant problems and Latin Americans can vote in our elections thus changing our national policy and we'll all be one happy American family.

 

[Exile714]

OK, so the alternatives are 1) American refers to US Citizens/Residents/Expats and 2) American refers to a citizen/resident/expat of any country in either of the American continents.

Can anyone give me an example of a time in a conversation when you would need to lump every person from Canada to Argentina into a single noun? How expedient does this need to be? Compare that to how often you need to refer to people from the US, how expedient should this be?

I personally need a short, easily flowing word for people from the US but I can't see a scenario when I need to lump together every person in the Western hemisphere. They're all so different that there's really no logical reason to refer to them with the same noun.

2 pesos for you to consider.

 

[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.

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...

1. "I'd go with the actual Mexican dude who said they mostly resent America instead of your view..." Is read as a sarcastic remark made in the third person rather then an independent statement giving support to one side.

Perhapse you should learn to write more clearly to get your message across.

2. the 'Mexican Dude', or Kaleion, made a statement based on cultural background between Mexicans and Americans. As such, there are many times in the past where there has been conflict and even animosity held between the two countries.

After the Mexican-American war and Mexican Cession of 1848 nearly cutting the nations size in half there was a bit of distaste for each other. Tensions over this existed for decades after, infact the Zimmermann Note of 1917 tried to use this to its advantage, as it promised Mexico the territories of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas if they entered World War 1 as their ally and Attacked the United States. Fortunatly this telegram was intercepted by the British and never made it to Mexico.

3. Making the statement "You do know that illegal immigrants don't come to America because they love it so much more than home..." Was directly countered by MY statement.

again, resorting to 'I'll believe the Mexican because he is Mexican' still remains a rather stupid stance on the subject.

A majority of the Mexican country is in a bad state because of Rampent corruption on state and local levels, very high violence with gangs and drug cartels running often un-opposed, and a very very large gap between lower class and upper class individuals. Many of these downtrodden and poor individuals enter the US by any means nessary just to escape these things.

To those individuals, the US is a much better place then Mexico.

 

[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.

Yeah i see what you mean. But the US government pushed its use for political reasons. Just something you could identify with. Cossacks and Tatars are in Russian turf. We used to call them like that, but things evolved and Russia insisted they be called Russians because they had to be assimilated. The US case is the same thing, just getting a name people could visualize as a unified people. Same thing in a lot of countries. Algerians were never "one" people, But they're called Algerians because one of the traditional names for the area was that. Only north Africa was called Ifriqya (latin for africa). Had those Algerian dudes called themselves Africans a lot people would have been pissed, although they have had that name since way before the 17th century
And i am not from Denmark . I just did the mistake of moving there. Am running back home to sunshine as soon as i can. It isn't Algeria either

I see your point, but again the word "American" as it's used now existed before the United States did, and was in common parlance even during the period immediately preceding the US' formation - perhaps especially so. Calling a US residents Americans has been common for just under 400 years.

 

[Mcupobob]

Ehhh, I don't care what they say I'm American. Thats just what we've called ourselves since we stopped being the colonies(Not 100% sure on that so don't hold it against me if I'm wrong). I mean what the hell else are we going to call ourselves?

 

[DoPo]

1. "I'd go with the actual Mexican dude who said they mostly resent America instead of your view..." Is read as a sarcastic remark made in the third person rather then an independent statement giving support to one side.

Perhapse you should learn to write more clearly to get your message across.

OK, how does it make more sense to be sarcastic, rather than mean "I believe the person from Mexico, who said his fellow countrymen resent the US citizens". Especially, when there was a person from Mexico who said that. I cannot understand why would you think something else, especially since it was comment #2 that actually said "here in México the USA is very resented".

I don't know how much more clear should people be to convey the correct message. There is a certain assumptions made in a discussion, for example that people in the discussion will be able to follow said discussion and work in that context.

 

[ATRAYA]

I'm from Canada, which makes me an American - God bless America.

People from the United States seem to get very prideful when you enforce the fact that they are not the ONLY Americans. They've stolen the name either because they are actually as egotistical as the internet makes them out to be (thinking they are the only ones in the world), which I doubt, OR their country name is very... sub-par, and therefore we can't call them anything other than "Yankees" or "United Statesians".

I had one person go completely nuts on me when I called him a Yankee, as he was from the United States, saying I was being a RACIST. Yes, a racist. Hint: we all came from different countries, and only the Native Americans can say anything like that is racist (or offensive, as "Yankee" is not racist in any way), as they are the NATIVES.

But in answer to your question, it's because everyone on the continent of America, North and South, are technically Americans, and NOT just the people living in the United States of America. Less-intelligent folk often get angry when they aren't special anymore.

 

[Ieyke]

You know so many Mexicans over there that you're going to ignore the experience of someone who actually LIVES in Mexico?

Bingo. Cuz that means your opinion is mostly meaningless. 'Til you've lived both here and there and actually know about both places first hand, your experience means diddly. The folks who HAVE lived both places, on the other hand, are the people who know what they're talking about....and they disagree with you.

Worse still you think not wanting to go back to Mexico somehow removes the possibility of resenting America?

Pfffft. People can resent stuff for all manner of reasons. There are plenty of Americans who resent America for one reason or other, and most of the Mexicans I know resent Mexico and prefer it here. So sure, they might resent America to some degree, but they sure as hell like it better.

Is logic not a Texan thing?

It's not really a "human" thing. More like just "my" thing, most days...or at least it seems that way. <_<

 

[Darkmantle]

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.

Yes there is. Depending on what country you live they teach you diferently. In most Latin countries America is one continent. South and North are just ways to say it more geographically correct, despite being the same continent.

than quite frankly they are wrong. It's two continents. Learn to teach geography, I guess

 

[ccggenius12]

Now if you want to say you are American without using north or south you are shortening the full name which is exactly what people of the United States of America do! In case you didn't realize America is part of the country's name and we are lazy and don't feel like saying the entire thing. I think being lazy Americans we should shorten our name further to merikkan

Actually, I'd support a change to Merican. When people ask, you can say you are a Merican, so there's little functional difference, but there's great symbolic difference.

As pertains to illegal immigrants, the only problem I have with them is that they really should learn English if they're going to work in the service industry, or shop. It's not technically the US's official language (we don't have one) but we know that's really just a formality. Them coming up here and working for less is something I am perfectly fine with. America believes in a free market economy, and for most people the one thing they have to market is their labor. I see no reason to impede that. Of course, good luck getting citizens to work for less. Prices would come down if the minimum wage dropped, elasticity being what it is, but you'd have more luck herding cats than convincing people to receive a smaller but functionally identical paper number.
I'd also like to note that allowing that should probably come with some changes to the tax structure. If a larger percentage of taxes are from sales, whether or not someone is a citizen ceases to matter. Everyone will contribute an amount equal to what they want to consume. As a bonus, that by its nature includes a sliding scale based on income, as those who earn more tend to spend more.
BTW: I have no problem with Pancho Villa. I'd consider him a guerilla, not a terrorist. And I don't see how we can fault him for that, guerilla tactics are how we started our war for independence.
On the portions of the US that used to be Mexico, I'm pretty sure we legally purchased most of that from Spain. However, Texas was not sold. A large segment of the population of that area wanted to be a part of the US, and the US was glad to support something that would add to it's landmass.
I'm sure I don't have the right idea about everything, but I'd like to think that at least some of this post makes sense.

 

[Lunar Templar]

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

NO!! >.< /fake butthurtness

OT: o.0 this was an issue? >.> <.< so ... who's the moron getting bent out a shape now?

 

[Treblaine]

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?

They don't. It's Trolls, nothing but.

PS: you are feeding them

... Sage?

 

[Treblaine]

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

How the hell does that work?

"Stop calling me Treblaine and I'll stop calling you Lono Shrugged"

Is there anything to be ashamed of being (called) either? Nope. Is there any ambiguity about either? Nope.

There is nothing to this. It's like people who don't understand the LITERAL meaning of the term sarcasm and think it proves anything by reciting it.

 

[Glerken]

Americans are Americans. Canadians are Canadian. Mexicans are Mexicans. We're all North Americans.

I can go over the same for South America if anyone is still confused.

Get over it.

 

[Treblaine]

I'm from Canada, which makes me an American - God bless America.

People from the United States seem to get very prideful when you enforce the fact that they are not the ONLY Americans. They've stolen the name...

I don't think you understand how WORDS work, how do you steal a work when everyone makes a new copy every time they speak?

If you mean redefined it, well Canada helped when it chose the name Canada after it abandoned it's old name of British America.

If Canada wants to change it's name back to British America, or even Canadian America then it can actually do that. I think it should stick with Canada. Just a single six-letter word, perfect. Unlike the "United States of America" or "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" which are the full official names that are on the front of every passport. Compared to:

Brilliant.

Canada has reason to be smug, right now it is like America was in the best of its times and in many ways far superior (no Health Insurance malarkey).

Oh sorry... America... do you even know where I'm talking about? Of course you do. Everyone does.

No one ever says when referring to continent of North America as simply "America" as North America and South America are SO DISTINCT they always need their North/South qualifier to be any use, not just for the different hemispheres but the insignificant land bridge that has actually been bisected by the Panama Canal. If anyone is referring to BOTH continents then they say "the americas" with no ambiguity.

 

[Legiondude]

I'm from Canada, which makes me an American - God bless America.

People from the United States seem to get very prideful when you enforce the fact that they are not the ONLY Americans.

WHO SAYS THAT? I've never met anyone who acts this stupid, and that's INCLUDING the crap I stumble upon on the internet

They've stolen the name either because they are actually as egotistical as the internet makes them out to be (thinking they are the only ones in the world), which I doubt, OR their country name is very... sub-par, and therefore we can't call them anything other than "Yankees" or "United Statesians".

Stole the name from who? At the time of it's creation, the only other nations in the western hemisphere(excluding the native tribes) were the British, French, Spanish, and Portuguese empires. PLUS you're ignoring that at the time of it's creation it was the general term similar in tone to say..."The Coalition", it wasn't meant to be "egotistical" it was just to say "We're on a team on this end of the pond, you can go suck it Britain"

Yankees is a possibility, but that name has fallen out of favor in the past 2 centuries except as a slang for us.

United Statesians is FAAAAAAR too general a term to refer to a people. Period. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_(disambiguation)] The only word left is America, so we use it.

I had one person go completely nuts on me when I called him a Yankee, as he was from the United States, saying I was being a RACIST. Yes, a racist. Hint: we all came from different countries, and only the Native Americans can say anything like that is racist (or offensive, as "Yankee" is not racist in any way), as they are the NATIVES.

Oh my god, 1 moron in 309 million people? WHAT A SHOCKER!

But in answer to your question, it's because everyone on the continent of America, North and South, are technically Americans, and NOT just the people living in the United States of America. Less-intelligent folk often get angry when they aren't special anymore.

Yes, technically everyone on this end of the pond is an American, but as referring to a people, the name anyone thinks of when they say "American" is people from the United States. Even you did begrudgingly, it's commonly accepted syntax, take "United States of America", get the shorthand "America", and in this country live people with the label "Americans". It's not egotism, it's convenience.