Using the Word "American"

[CMDDarkblade]

If the former colonies of New Spain are angry that the former British colonies rebelled from their mother country first and took the term "Americans", maybe the former colonies of New Spain should have rebelled first or put the term "America" in their country name. No other country has the word "America" in its title, therefore citizens of the United States of America get to call themselves "Americans".

 

[Legiondude]

It's kind-of annoying, and can be confusing, but I wouldn't say upsetting.

If "American" exclusively means a person from the United States, then shouldn't "South American" mean a person from anywhere between California and Florida?

The problem is, of course, that the U.S. chose to use the same name as the continent that it occupies without the good sense to occupy the entire continent first, like Australia.

There isn't really a name for a person from the U.S. that would distinguish them well, so we have to default to the continent level.

No, worse than that. Our Founding Fathers chose the most general name possible. The United States [on the continent/of] America(Also because everywhere else was de jure part of 4 other nations: Spain, Portugal, Britain, France). United States of America didn't describe a nation, it describes a GROUP of nations.

Though the Constitutional convention of 1787 later put the boot to that...

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Do they

What

I had no idea

I don't understand how that's offensive.

 

[TehCookie]

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?

 

[Pyro Paul]

here in México the USA is very resented

Coming from a Texan, pfffffffttt.
I'm not sure if I should laugh or facepalm.

Why don't you build a wall to keep all the Americans out?

*massive eyeroll*

Oh a Texan.

You do know that illegal immigrants don't come to America because they love it so much more than home? I mean, maybe you think money == love, but you can resent what you have to do to get money to survive.

Did you know that most illegal immigrants acctually come to America because they Love it so much more then Mexico?

Given the very poor education system, a corrupt political and police system, Socioeconomic class inequality and the ever growing gap between the Lower classes and the Upper classes, a near inhumane prison system, often inhospitable health care, and rampent deadly violence from drug cartels, orginized crime, private Milita, and gangs that run often unchecked through great parts of the country... I really wouldn't blame them.

the fact that you have an internet connection almost already proves that you have a bias outlook on the state of affairs your country holds.

 

[Porygon-2000]

Huh. You learn something new everyday,
Anyway, at least down here, use of the word America almost always means the US, unless it Is further explained, like South America. It's not that we're bad people who want to offend everyone below the Rio Grande! We're just the most linguistically lazy bastards you will ever see wielding the English Language. And I have YouTube videos to back that up!

 

[Deathmageddon]

Because when you say Americans it sounds like you are referring to the people of the entire continent and the people in at least México don't like to get associated with the gringos as we call them, we'll refute North American too since that includes Canada and México

I think you missed the point here, it is called the United States of AMERICA, after all. It makes sense to shorten it to America.

 

[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.