Calling US Citizens Americans? Not right to me

[Sangshao]

If the United States Government fell apart tomorrow, we'd all still be here. What would you think to call us then? We aren't United Statesians anymore than the Brits are United Kingdomians. The term "United States" is simply indicative of the current structure of our government. The land is named America and the people on it are Americans. It is the only land named America on earth, as the term "America" singular is never used in isolation to refer to either North or South America or both of the Americas as a unit. It's neither confusing nor particularly difficult to understand, it's just another something to chatter on about among those inclined to dislike Americans from the start. If anyone in either north or south America feels the need to refer to themselves as generically 'American' as part of their birthright as humans of the Western hemisphere, then so be it. You won't raise any objections in the US, as noone here will care. But if you think you have any right at all to tell us what we should be calling ourselves or our land you're woefully off target.

I said the equivalent of that twice in this thread. TWICE

It didn't take.

 

[Apollo]

Don't JUBbers have anything better to argue about??
The amount of mental energy being wasted on this topic is simply astonishing.

OMG I said that too.

 

[frankfrank]

I actually agree with you partially on this topic.
It's bothered me for some time that when our President closes a televised speech he usually says something like 'God Bless America'.... I think he should say 'God Bless the United States' or God Bless the United States of America.

I think that he, and so many other millions of...uh..."Americans", are merely following in Kate Smith's footsteps. Or whenever the song "God Bless America" became a well-known song.

I wish there was another term for "us" which wasn't unwieldy or awkward, that everybody would understand, but I think we're kinda stuck with "American(s)" for the foreseeable future.

Actually, if he could actually say it with conviction and sincerity, it would be more appropriate for him to say "God bless America" (Except in the minds of most people who live here, he would indeed be blessing the United States only) or "God bless Earth" than to limit it to the United States. Whether to "God bless" places which are not monotheistic, and places where the deity is not called "God," though, is another matter...

 

[frankfrank]

As a kid growing up in NC, I had to take NC state history. The textbook we used, written by a history professor and UNC, referred to it exclusively as "The War for Southern Independence".

Thanks, P, for the information here. I don't think I'd heard that term before (or, at least, not at all recently) but I think I prefer it over the other terms.

A "civil war" is supposed to be a war that takes place between opposing forces or groups within one country/nation, and the "War Between the States" similarly sounds like a war taking place within one nation.

It was indeed a war between two nations, after all the CSA had its own capital, its own President, Cabinet, Legislature, courts and Constitution, etc. The CSA indeed fighting for its continuing independence, so your citation seems a lot more accurate to me.

 

[Snickers52]

I'm sorry to offend anyone but this is possibly the stupidest reason to be offended I have ever heard of. Somebody obviously has WAY too much time on his hands.

 

[jtearth]

Well, our country is called the United States of America.

 

[kyless85]

This thread makes me laugh because the OP is just simply way too funny to even try and reason with. He starts it with the disclaimor that this isn't a thread about "US vs the rest of America", but, essentially, that's exactly what the thread is about - a supposed superiority complex because we refer to the USA as America, Canada refers to itself as Canada, and Mexico, Mexico.

I'm sorry, but we all don't speak with such a BROAD caliber - and it's really funny that you're singling out MEXICO when you forgot that there is a SOUTH America as well. So essentially, people from Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Columbia and other such places - Americans.

I mean, by your devisive way of thinking, there should only really be Americans, Europeans, Africans, Asians, Austrailians, and Antarcians - throw in Oceanians if you choose. And the world does not work like that.

Absurd logic there genius.



Why do i hear the sounds of Larry The Cable Guy and the "they tuk r JOBS!!!" guys on South Park when i read this?

The US, isolationist? Funny. That'd make the country hypocrites, given how many times we MADE other countries not be isolationistic - such as Japan. Of course we learned that idea from Britian - so the snotty ones in this thread need to get their textbooks out.

Well I wouldn't really expect you to understand, you're "American" after all, j/k, lol, but the thing is through my life, and not only in Mexico, I have heard people complain about that. Some years ago, while applying for high school, the application sheet had a part where I had to put my nationality, and the option for the United States was American. It's just not right to me on many levels, and for millions of other people it isn't right either. I could never go to the US and identify myself as American, people would look weird at me. What if a latin who barely speaks English identifies himself as American? You'd laugh him off, it's a fact. You've made the term almost exclusively yours.

The point is it's true, whether you think it is or not, you don't have the perspective of the rest of the world. You may dismiss this topic as ridiculous, which only proves how narrow-minded you are. And you won't let me lie when I say many US citizens have a superiority complex, this is perfectly seen even in JUB, especially in the topics that involve talk about the United States and any other country.

And btw if you actually took the time to read the complete OP, you'd see I do mention the other Americas. Don't prove me right dude! Make me work a little bit harder!

 

[flyingfree]

The other day as I arrived on a flight from Mexico City to New York I was greeted with a "Welcome to America" (it was not said in a nice way), and it bothered me because I LIVE IN AMERICA!

Perhaps it was a poor choice of words (though by no means incorrect) by the Immigration official. "Welcome to the United States" would have been a less ambiguous greeting.

There have been so many thought provoking comments in this thread. I would suggest that you write a letter to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and express your opinion about the greeting you received upon your arrival at Immigration. DHS should hear of the complaints and of the praises from all of the people who enter the United States of America irrespective of their country of citizenship.

 

[Apollo]

Well I wouldn't really expect you to understand, you're "American" after all, j/k, lol, but the thing is through my life, and not only in Mexico, I have heard people complain about that. Some years ago, while applying for high school, the application sheet had a part where I had to put my nationality, and the option for the United States was American. It's just not right to me on many levels, and for millions of other people it isn't right either. I could never go to the US and identify myself as American, people would look weird at me. What if a latin who barely speaks English identifies himself as American? You'd laugh him off, it's a fact. You've made the term almost exclusively yours.

The point is it's true, whether you think it is or not, you don't have the perspective of the rest of the world. You may dismiss this topic as ridiculous, which only proves how narrow-minded you are. And you won't let me lie when I say many US citizens have a superiority complex, this is perfectly seen even in JUB, especially in the topics that involve talk about the United States and any other country.

And btw if you actually took the time to read the complete OP, you'd see I do mention the other Americas. Don't prove me right dude! Make me work a little bit harder!

Correction, for about 20 of you it isn't right. Which, I still don't understand why you even care. No one else does, no one sits in there house furious that we call ourselves Americans. We are americans, we are called the United States of America, therefore, we are Americans.

Candadians and Mexicans are known as NORTH Americans. Do you know why, because they reside in NORTH America. Americans are also NORTH AMERICANS.

In Brazil, they are known as SOUTH Americans, please tell me you are following along now. SOUTH Americans, or LATIN Americans if you prefer that name.


This isnt even about trying to be superior. It is how we are known. No one else in the world would care either. We have been known as Americans for all the time we have been a country. It has been this way all the way. This little issue seems new to me, because no where in history has anyone ever cared. Wait, no one still cares except a bunch of overly sensitive people who have nothing else to do. Literally nothing else to do.

Do this Kylesss. When you come to America next time. Tell people you are North American, they will still laugh, but they will understand you are either from Canada or Mexico. This will even ask you, Canada or Mexico. I am assuming you are hispanic, so they will just go ahead and say you are Mexican.

I now see this thread for what it is. It is just another loon looking for away to attack Americans and call us arrogant and stupid and don't understand how the rest of the world thinks. I think it is the other way around, you don't understand how the rest of the world thinks. Let me enlighten you, they don't care.

 

[Swellegant]

Do you think carrots and yams are mad that oranges are called orange? I mean, the carrots and yams are orange, too, aren't they? Where do oranges get off taking the word for their own?

 

[unclaimedblessing]

The complaintants on here (from other countries of this hemisphere) don't identify with the term "Ugly American". They probably think it's specific enough. They only seem irritated when "American" is used in a positive way.
The term "Latin America" in itself excludes Belize, Jamaica, Guyana, Surinam and numerous Caribbean countries who don't speak a Latin language or have a Latin culture.
I'm sure the large Native American populations of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador etc. don't favor the term "Latin American" enthusiastically.
The people of the world have so many other genuine issues and problems to deal with, it's ludicrous to make this a legitimate issue worth fighting over.

 

[2243]

Do you think carrots and yams are mad that oranges are called orange? I mean, the carrots and yams are orange, too, aren't they? Where do oranges get off taking the word for their own?

I have never heard of anyone (or any orange ) swelling with pride as they talk about the name of the fruit.

"Me? Oh, I am the true, the only, 100% pure and real Orange! Why? Well, because it's not just my color, but also what I'm called"

 

[LilBit]

In Quebecois French, Americans are referred to as "Etatsunisien," which more or less means the same thing. It's a bit awkward, though.

 

[Apollo]

the idiot of this thread still makes me mad. who the fuck has this much time on their hands to even care? it isn't even an issue, and usually everything is an issue

 

[bankside]

In a lot of different languages, the word for people from the USA is the equivalent of "Unitedstatesians." People grow up with that, and I can see how it would be a surprise to visit the USA and realize that the people there nickname themselves in such general terms as "Americans" without being specific as to which kind of Americans they are.

Still though, hard to figure out a better solution, and this is only the tip of the iceburg. It would be correct to call someone from the UK "British" if they came from England, Scotland or Wales because that is Great Britain. But what if they were a UK citizen from Northern Ireland, which is not within "Great Britain?" Well, thankfully it is all still the British Isles, so British still applies. But then again, it applies to the Republic of Ireland for the same reason. Not too sure how many Irish citizens appreciate being called "British" however. HAH.

While we're at it, quit calling it Holland when you mean the Netherlands. That would be like calling someone a Californian when they're from Ohio and you meant to call them an American...ummm...I mean a Unitedstatesian. Oh wait...sorry to Mexico which is also made up of States... A Unitedstatesofamerican???

I'd call them Yanks, which we do in Canuckland, but apparently this doesn't apply to southerners. Don't even get me started on Canada. Newfoundland had a perfectly good name, but the province next door is grabby about their land, so just to rub it in, they changed the name of their province to Newfoundland and Labrador. So what are they now, Newfoundlandandlabradorish? Newfoundlanders was so much easier. Then up north, they created a new territory, Nunavut. Which means "our land." Hardly very specific is it? So now we might say "Allow me to introduce Peter. He's from Nunavut. Well, actually he's from their navut, not our navut. The really cold navut up north of Quebec."

I'd just be happy if the Americans (sorry, I mean the Unitedstatesians) would make up their minds on the news as to whether it is "eye rack" or "eee rack" or "eye rock" or "eee ruck."

The British also need to decide if it is Packistan or Pockistan or Packiston. I'm sure I've heard all three, presumably as different newscasters vie to sound more British than each other. Errrr. I mean more "Britainandnorthernirish."

 

[Apollo]

In a lot of different languages, the word for people from the USA is the equivalent of "Unitedstatesians." People grow up with that, and I can see how it would be a surprise to visit the USA and realize that the people there nickname themselves in such general terms as "Americans" without being specific as to which kind of Americans they are.

Still though, hard to figure out a better solution, and this is only the tip of the iceburg. It would be correct to call someone from the UK "British" if they came from England, Scotland or Wales because that is Great Britain. But what if they were a UK citizen from Northern Ireland, which is not within "Great Britain?" Well, thankfully it is all still the British Isles, so British still applies. But then again, it applies to the Republic of Ireland for the same reason. Not too sure how many Irish citizens appreciate being called "British" however. HAH.

While we're at it, quit calling it Holland when you mean the Netherlands. That would be like calling someone a Californian when they're from Ohio and you meant to call them an American...ummm...I mean a Unitedstatesian. Oh wait...sorry to Mexico which is also made up of States... A Unitedstatesofamerican???

I'd call them Yanks, which we do in Canuckland, but apparently this doesn't apply to southerners. Don't even get me started on Canada. Newfoundland had a perfectly good name, but the province next door is grabby about their land, so just to rub it in, they changed the name of their province to Newfoundland and Labrador. So what are they now, Newfoundlandandlabradorish? Newfoundlanders was so much easier. Then up north, they created a new territory, Nunavut. Which means "our land." Hardly very specific is it? So now we might say "Allow me to introduce Peter. He's from Nunavut. Well, actually he's from their navut, not our navut. The really cold navut up north of Quebec."

I'd just be happy if the Americans (sorry, I mean the Unitedstatesians) would make up their minds on the news as to whether it is "eye rack" or "eee rack" or "eye rock" or "eee ruck."

The British also need to decide if it is Packistan or Pockistan or Packiston. I'm sure I've heard all three, presumably as different newscasters vie to sound more British than each other. Errrr. I mean more "Britainandnorthernirish."

the entire world refers to us as Americans. Not united statesians. when a person visits the US, they know full well that we are known as Americans, as we have always been ever since the creation of our country.

 

[jspk]

it's simple folk
canada -> canadian
us america -> american
mexico -> mexican

too bad mexico/canada doesn't use american initially.
and you're welcomed to a country, not a continent. you're already on the same continent.

 

[gsdx]

the entire world refers to us as Americans.

That's because 'Americans' is what you call yourselves, and it makes perfect sense to me. Yours is the only country in North American which has 'America' in its name.

The argument that the citizens of Canada, the United States, and Mexico are all Americans is moot, because we aren't. We are all North Americans, but only those citizens of the United States can call themselves 'Americans'.

We are 3 distinct countries, yet, when one says the word 'American', Canada or Mexico are not the first countries people think of. There's only one country which comes to mind.

Canada and Mexico are not part of 'America'. we are part of North America. There is a huge difference.

And there are all those countries in Central America and South America. What about them? Do we call them 'American', too. If we're going to argue that all North Americans should be referred to as 'American', then we must extend that to include the rest of the Western Hemisphere. As ridiculous as it sounds, that's what we would have to do.

 

[Chalchalero]

I tried looking for another thread with this topic, but couldn't find it. Anyway as i was posting on another thread this came into my mind, and I thought it would be interesting. I currently live in Mexico City, but I have lived in many different countries and I come from a very mixed background. I have thought about this a lot, and I think it is insulting to other American countries (North, Central, and South) for US citizens to call themselves American, as if they were the official "Americans".

I believe most people from the US do it because it's easy and they're used to, but still it kinda bothers me 'cause some people do it with a feeling of superiority (btw I have no inferiority issues, that's not the problem). The other day as I arrived on a flight from Mexico City to New York I was greeted with a "Welcome to America" (it was not said in a nice way), and it bothered me because I LIVE IN AMERICA!

Anyway, I hate being whiny, but I had to post about it. What do you think?

And btw this is not meant to become a thread of America vs. the US. Most people from the US are cool.

It is a common term used, not only by "citizens of the United States" as you word it, but by Europeans, as well. My friends do not ask me when am I returning to the United States, but rather, when am I returning to America. In conversation, we always talk about the American President or American foreign policy. It is just the way it is done around the world.

The only regions which have a problem with this are those in Central and South America, and they will usually refer to COTUS as norteamericanos or more formally, estadounidenses, which rolls off the tongue much easier in Spanish than it does in English.

I don't believe it is meant to be offensive to anyone. It is simply a fact of life. The United States is the dominant power in the region. When people from around the world refer to America, they are not thinking of Chile of Paraguay, but rather the United States.

 

[Chalchalero]

That's because 'Americans' is what you call yourselves, and it makes perfect sense to me. Yours is the only country in North American which has 'America' in its name.

This is also a great point.

Whereas the official name of the US is the United States of America, the official name of Mexico is the Estados Unidos Mexicanos.

It would seem to me they always preferred to be known as Mexicans and not Americans.