Why do we call the US America? - Page 2

Apocalipstic · 02-18-2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UofMfan

In normal every day conversation I mostly call it "The States".

I always have too, but a Brazilian friend busted me on it

Melissa · 02-18-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

My friends in London say "from the US" or "Yanks" or Yankees which outside the US tends to mean all people from the US, not Southerners.

What should Argentines call themselves, or Mexicans, or Canadians, or Chileans? They are all Americans too.

My Grandfather ---> Yanks, damn yanks, bloody yanks.......

femmy1 · 02-18-2010, 05:32 PM

I am from Central America and the only way I ever heard the US referred to was..Los Estados Unidos... and it's residents were called gringos.. I know gringo is not liked or PC but I am just providing a reference.

I have never even thought of this place as anything but America but I can see why this subject could be thought of in all the ways it has been portrayed.

I will think about this because United Stasians just sounds wierd to me !! I like human haha. I like like a citizen of the world. An earthling.. lol !!

f1~

UofMfan · 02-18-2010, 05:34 PM

Well, I will be sure not to do that when I travel to Brazil later this year

Apocalipstic · 02-18-2010, 05:35 PM

I am not trying to make anyone angry or challenge anyone's identity, but people on our continent HATE us for thinking and saying we are The Americans.

If I say American, I mean from the Americas.

America the continent as a whole.

It is a small thing that we should think about in a good way. In a "how can we be more culturally aware" way.

And if we did everything the English wanted us to, we would still be a colony.

Melissa · 02-18-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semantics

What do the people of England call us if not American?

Citizens of the United States of America?

If not Americans, what should we call ourselves?

The people of England call you lots of things lol. But all I heard was America, Americans, Yanks. To us you are just dear old Americans. This brit apologizes for offending the citizens who reside in other parts of the continent of America and not in the particular part also known as The United States. Although if Texas secedes what do we call you all then. The United (Minus Texas) States. I love Texas by the way. It is is own little country. I think I was a Texan in a former life.

Mel

Apocalipstic · 02-18-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by femmy1

I am from Central America and the only way I ever heard the US referred to was..Los Estados Unidos... and it's residents were called gringos.. I know gringo is not liked or PC but I am just providing a reference.

I have never even thought of this place as anything but America but I can see why this subject could be thought of in all the ways it has been portrayed.

I will think about this because United Stasians just sounds wierd to me !! I like human haha. I like like a citizen of the world. An earthling.. lol !!

f1~

I have heard Gringos too. Thank you.

Unites Statesians is awkward I agree. I like human too!

We are all ONE.

Semantics · 02-18-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

My friends in London say "from the US" or "Yanks" or Yankees which outside the US tends to mean all people from the US, not Southerners.

What should Argentines call themselves, or Mexicans, or Canadians, or Chileans? They are all Americans too.

I wasn't disagreeing.

I was just curious as to what her friends did call people from the US.

Mine always use "Yank"- but they also always use that tone and I'd really prefer to be called something else.

Selenay · 02-18-2010, 05:39 PM

I think Semantics asked a really important question:

If not Americans, what should we call ourselves?

Apocalipstic · 02-18-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melissa

The people of England call you lots of things lol. But all I heard was America, Americans, Yanks. To us you are just dear old Americans. This brit apologizes for offending the citizens who reside in other parts of the continent of America and not in the particular part also known as The United States. Although if Texas secedes what do we call you all then. The United (Minus Texas) States. I love Texas by the way. It is is own little country. I think I was a Texan in a former life.

Mel

What a lovely answer! Thank you!

I usually say Brits, or from the UK, or English, Scottish and so forth for you.

Apocalipstic · 02-18-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selenay

I think Semantics asked a really important question:

If not Americans, what should we call ourselves?

I say I live in the US or say I am a US citizen.

femmy1 · 02-18-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selenay

I think Semantics asked a really important question:

If not Americans, what should we call ourselves?

Maybe we should call ourselves the USA-icans ...or USA-ers... or USA-ites.. I could go on and on heheh

f1~

Selenay · 02-18-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

I say I live in the US or say I am a US citizen.

Yes, but that's a mouthful.

How would you make that akin to what other nations have (e.g.: I'm Canadian. I'm British. I'm Cuban. I'm Russian. I'm Swedish. I'm Australian. I'm Nordic.)? I'm Statesish? Statian?

UofMfan · 02-18-2010, 05:53 PM

Since the arrogance and ignorance started way before our time:

"The former British colonies first used the country's modern name in the Declaration of Independence, the "unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" " ~ Wikepedia

You can call yourselves anything you want. Most of us who have traveled and have been exposed to other cultures will call you "Estadunidenses", or Gringos when you piss us off.

Toughy · 02-18-2010, 06:08 PM

it is Olympic Games time..............and the chant that is always heard at the Olympics and any other international sporting event is U S A .

I try to never ever never say American(s) when referring to citizens of the United States of America. I'm sure somewhere on the net I will have said Americans. My default language is the 'US' or 'folks from the US'.

When I was an expat, I always said I was from the 'US' or 'the States'. For those that don't know, I lived in New Zealand for a year back in 2002-2003.

Random · 02-18-2010, 07:19 PM

I say..

American from the US...

For me.. American doesn't belong just to the USA..

But lingustily.. USAian.. just doesn't flow off the tongue..

HeartBreak Kid · 02-18-2010, 08:03 PM

So here is *MY answer.................... the "logical" reason to *me is.......

The United States is refered to as "America" becuase it is a singular country....It is my experience when talking to those from South America, Or Central America "they" have Identified themselves by their Country of Origin...then as a point of Geographical reference will say Central, or South....

However, if I am asked where Im from in an international forum I say the US....but I have also been known to refer to MYSELF* as an American......on a side note I Identify as a NEW YORKER.....and thats a WHOLE 'nother thread......

Enchantress · 02-18-2010, 08:21 PM

Our fore fathers coined the term "Americans" in our Declaration of Independence. Hence, we (Northern Americans) identify with this term. Obviously, we are not the only Americans. There is South American and Central American as well.

To say that citizens of the United States are egotistical or entitled because they call themselves Americans, is, I believe, incorrect. Instead we are proud, we are compassionate and we are (I like to think) welcoming.

I am North American. Let's say you're Columbian (or Brazilian just for fun), then, obviously, you (used universally of course) would be South American. ; )

I don't believe that there is going to be any sort of major movement any time soon to change the use of this term, and really, why should there be? What is really important is that everyone realize that there are others who are of the Americas as well and have the right to identify as such (obviously sans the US Citizen part).

Enchantress · 02-18-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UofMfan

Most of us who have traveled and have been exposed to other cultures will call you "Estadunidenses", or Gringos when you piss us off.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. ; )

UofMfan · 02-18-2010, 08:40 PM

Ms. Enchantress, I personally don't know any Columbians....but I have heard they are easily mistaken for Brazilians : )

I don't believe there is going to be a movement or any kind. I mean, we are dealing with the same arrogance and entitlement of those who ran American Indians from their own land, so why expect any changes?

Edited to say that I do know some Colombians though.

02-18-2010, 05:35 PM	#25
Apocalipstic Pink Confection How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her, Ma'am Relationship Status: Dating Myself Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 4,266 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 17,195 Thanked 11,362 Times in 2,838 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	I am not trying to make anyone angry or challenge anyone's identity, but people on our continent HATE us for thinking and saying we are The Americans. If I say American, I mean from the Americas. America the continent as a whole. It is a small thing that we should think about in a good way. In a "how can we be more culturally aware" way. And if we did everything the English wanted us to, we would still be a colony. __________________

02-18-2010, 05:39 PM	#29
Selenay Member How Do You Identify?: A soul for a compass and a heart for a pair of wings. Preferred Pronoun?: All I ask of living is to have no chains on me. Relationship Status: All I own are the strides I spend to the finish line. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Somewhere in between here and gone. Posts: 662 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 110 Thanked 1,447 Times in 369 Posts Rep Power: 6344715	I think Semantics asked a really important question: If not Americans, what should we call ourselves? __________________ Two or three things I know for sure, And one is that I would rather go naked Than wear the coat the world has made for me.

02-18-2010, 06:08 PM	#35
Toughy Senior Member How Do You Identify?: pervert butch feminist woman Preferred Pronoun?: see above Relationship Status: independent entity Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oakland Posts: 1,826 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,068 Thanked 7,653 Times in 1,522 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	it is Olympic Games time..............and the chant that is always heard at the Olympics and any other international sporting event is U S A . I try to never ever never say American(s) when referring to citizens of the United States of America. I'm sure somewhere on the net I will have said Americans. My default language is the 'US' or 'folks from the US'. When I was an expat, I always said I was from the 'US' or 'the States'. For those that don't know, I lived in New Zealand for a year back in 2002-2003. __________________ We are everywhere We are different I do not care if resistance is futile I will not assimilate www.butchfemmesocials.com/

02-18-2010, 07:19 PM	#36
Random Senior Member How Do You Identify?: femme Relationship Status: Married Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: back in the land of trees and snow Posts: 2,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 8,017 Thanked 5,327 Times in 1,378 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	I say.. American from the US... For me.. American doesn't belong just to the USA.. But lingustily.. USAian.. just doesn't flow off the tongue.. __________________ ~Volunteer~ "It gets in your blood"

02-18-2010, 08:03 PM	#37
HeartBreak Kid Member How Do You Identify?: self Preferred Pronoun?: User formally Known as Tygerlily Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: my skin Posts: 372 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 260 Thanked 446 Times in 166 Posts Rep Power: 28	So here is MY answer.................... the "logical" reason to me is....... The United States is refered to as "America" becuase it is a singular country....It is my experience when talking to those from South America, Or Central America "they" have Identified themselves by their Country of Origin...then as a point of Geographical reference will say Central, or South.... However, if I am asked where Im from in an international forum I say the US....but I have also been known to refer to MYSELF* as an American......on a side note I Identify as a NEW YORKER.....and thats a WHOLE 'nother thread...... __________________ ~Beautiful, sobbing, high-geared fucking and then to lie silently like deer tracks in the freshly-fallen snow beside the one you love . That's All~ ~Richard Brautigan, "Deer Tracks"~ Peace and Love http://images5.cafepress.com/product...x480_Front.jpg "Pssssst.......your STEREOTYPES are showing".... ~StabbyK~

02-18-2010, 05:32 PM	#23
femmy1 Junior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme, femmy, femmtastic Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: single Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 36 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6 Thanked 66 Times in 23 Posts Rep Power: 16	I am from Central America and the only way I ever heard the US referred to was..Los Estados Unidos... and it's residents were called gringos.. I know gringo is not liked or PC but I am just providing a reference. I have never even thought of this place as anything but America but I can see why this subject could be thought of in all the ways it has been portrayed. I will think about this because United Stasians just sounds wierd to me !! I like human haha. I like like a citizen of the world. An earthling.. lol !! f1~

02-18-2010, 05:34 PM	#24
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,937 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	Well, I will be sure not to do that when I travel to Brazil later this year

02-18-2010, 05:53 PM	#34
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,937 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	Since the arrogance and ignorance started way before our time: "The former British colonies first used the country's modern name in the Declaration of Independence, the "unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America" " ~ Wikepedia You can call yourselves anything you want. Most of us who have traveled and have been exposed to other cultures will call you "Estadunidenses", or Gringos when you piss us off.

02-18-2010, 08:21 PM	#38
Enchantress Senior Member How Do You Identify?: A complex confection. Preferred Pronoun?: Miss Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The land of milk and honey. Posts: 2,169 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 741 Thanked 3,420 Times in 1,200 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	The Americas Our fore fathers coined the term "Americans" in our Declaration of Independence. Hence, we (Northern Americans) identify with this term. Obviously, we are not the only Americans. There is South American and Central American as well. To say that citizens of the United States are egotistical or entitled because they call themselves Americans, is, I believe, incorrect. Instead we are proud, we are compassionate and we are (I like to think) welcoming. I am North American. Let's say you're Columbian (or Brazilian just for fun), then, obviously, you (used universally of course) would be South American. ; ) I don't believe that there is going to be any sort of major movement any time soon to change the use of this term, and really, why should there be? What is really important is that everyone realize that there are others who are of the Americas as well and have the right to identify as such (obviously sans the US Citizen part).

02-18-2010, 08:40 PM	#40
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,937 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	Ms. Enchantress, I personally don't know any Columbians....but I have heard they are easily mistaken for Brazilians : ) I don't believe there is going to be a movement or any kind. I mean, we are dealing with the same arrogance and entitlement of those who ran American Indians from their own land, so why expect any changes? Edited to say that I do know some Colombians though.