DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post

**skydaypat** · 11-25-2009, 06:33 AM

I hate this "American means anyone from one of the continents containing the word 'America' in its name" trend.

You've got to be kidding. A "trend"? Is it a trend to call people from Europe "Europeans"? Or from Asia "Asians"? Or just the fact that people from certain regions are called by that region proper adjective? For America (name of the supercontinent comprising South America and North America), said proper adjective is "American", like it or not, and not a "trend". I'm Uruguayan, therefore American. Once again, you like it or not. The name America for the region was in use for a good quarter of a milennium prior to the foundation of USA. From where do you think they got the name? (By the way, "United States" doesn't cut it either... There are more United States in America.)

I have to recognize that this may be a lost battle, however. On certain Asian country I was asked by person in the street if I were American. I answered "Yes, of course"... and then was insulted. Since it was in the local language I have no idea what he said (only recognized the word "America" a couple of times). My host, the one that told me I had been insulted, refused to translate and just told me not to pay attention to ignorant people... what I did.

I especially hate the (in my opinion) asinine fad of calling Americans "Usians".

Never heard that word before... But thanks!

11-25-2009, 06:33 AM	#23
skydaypat Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 441 Senior Member	I hate this "American means anyone from one of the continents containing the word 'America' in its name" trend. You've got to be kidding. A "trend"? Is it a trend to call people from Europe "Europeans"? Or from Asia "Asians"? Or just the fact that people from certain regions are called by that region proper adjective? For America (name of the supercontinent comprising South America and North America), said proper adjective is "American", like it or not, and not a "trend". I'm Uruguayan, therefore American. Once again, you like it or not. The name America for the region was in use for a good quarter of a milennium prior to the foundation of USA. From where do you think they got the name? (By the way, "United States" doesn't cut it either... There are more United States in America.) I have to recognize that this may be a lost battle, however. On certain Asian country I was asked by person in the street if I were American. I answered "Yes, of course"... and then was insulted. Since it was in the local language I have no idea what he said (only recognized the word "America" a couple of times). My host, the one that told me I had been insulted, refused to translate and just told me not to pay attention to ignorant people... what I did. I especially hate the (in my opinion) asinine fad of calling Americans "Usians". Never heard that word before... But thanks!
	Quote