United Statesians?

[Southern Belle]

Ummm, I've seen Americans be reffered to as this a lot lately? Why? The official name of our nationality is American, as Mexicans are Mexican and Canadians are Canadian.

See the way the world works is, each Country has a main word as its name and 99% of the time, the people of said country call themselves a variation of that main word. The main word of this country is America, which makes us American, and we have been Americans since they named the country. Come on, this is 1st grade stuff here, so what gives? O_O

 

[talloulou]

Ummm, I've seen Americans be reffered to as this a lot lately? Why? The official name of our nationality is American, as Mexicans are Mexican and Canadians are Canadian.

See the way the world works is, each Country has a main word as its name and 99% of the time, the people of said country call themselves a variation of that main word. The main word of this country is America, which makes us American, and we have been Americans since they named the country. Come on, this is 1st grade stuff here, so what gives? O_O

While you are correct in what you say it is also true that many people are referred to by their continent. Europeans, Asians, Africans, ect. So in that context people from the United States of America are not the only "Americans." That's where the contention lies. The French, the Italians, The English, are all "Europeans." Just as Mexicans can fairly be called "Americans."

 

[Southern Belle]

While you are correct in what you say it is also true that many people are referred to by their continent. Europeans, Asians, Africans, ect. So in that context people from the United States of America are not the only "Americans." That's where the contention lies. The French, the Italians, The English, are all "Europeans." Just as Mexicans can fairly be called "Americans."

Yes? The people from North America are called North Americans and the people from South America are called South Americans and when you talk about the two continents together they are called the Americas. Still the word Americans refers to the USA. Wouldn't want to get them confused with the United States of Mexico now would you? :lol:

 

[Kandahar]

There are two different definitions. "American" can mean a person from the United States, or it can mean a person from the Americas. People who don't understand that words can have multiple meanings (*cough* Urethra Franklin) need to grow up. He/she is the only one I've ever heard use the term "United Statesian," and he/she only does it to be intentionally offensive.

 

[talloulou]

Yes? The people from North America are called North Americans and the people from South America are called South Americans and when you talk about the two continents together they are called the Americas. Still the word Americans refers to the USA. Wouldn't want to get them confused with the United States of Mexico now would you? :lol:

It's really just semantics. But inside the US you will find tons of kids who will say they are from "America." Or that they're Americans. However outside the states we are the USA or the United States and it's less likely that a Canadian or a French person would refer to us as simply America. When I crossed the Canadian border and my son was asked where he was from he said "America." The border patrol guy laughed and informed him that he was leaving the US to go to Canada but he would be in "America" both before and after crossing the border. Since abroad the America is often dropped and we are known as the United States it seems United Satesians is more descriptive than "American" but really I don't think it matters either way unless you are trying to claim that another country in N. or S. America does not also have the right to the "American" label. When the Americas were discovered it was probably very common to consider oneself an American when you got here.

 

[americanwoman]

This is actually the first time I have heard the term "United Statesian". I would say though we, people from the U.S. , are referred to mostly as Americans.

 

[Southern Belle]

There are two different definitions. "American" can mean a person from the United States, or it can mean a person from the Americas. People who don't understand that words can have multiple meanings (*cough* Urethra Franklin) need to grow up. He/she is the only one I've ever heard use the term "United Statesian," and he/she only does it to be intentionally offensive.

I've seen people on forums use it...including this one. Now I can understand a non-English speaker getting it confused, but not someone from here... Unless they are trying to be offensive too... United Statesians sounds retarded for any country, and it only became common after 9/11.

 

[talloulou]

I've seen people on forums use it...including this one. Now I can understand a non-English speaker getting it confused, but not someone from here... Unless they are trying to be offensive too... United Statesians sounds retarded for any country, and it only became common after 9/11.

The people who use United Statesians are generally from other countries. And I don't think they are necessarily being offensive so much as they view us as the United States so we are United Statesians. Why would that term offend? It's more common outside the US than inside but it certainly doesn't seem derogatory to me. I can't imagine why anyone from the United States of America would be insulted by United Statesians though the phrase does feel awkward and doesn't roll off the tongue. But again that's because here we don't use it much.

 

[Southern Belle]

The people who use United Statesians are generally from other countries. And I don't think they are necessarily being offensive so much as they view us as the United States so we are United Statesians. Why would that term offend? It's more common outside the US than inside but it certainly doesn't seem derogatory to me. I can't imagine why anyone from the United States of America would be insulted by United Statesians though the phrase does feel awkward and doesn't roll off the tongue. But again that's because here we don't use it much.

Is it really a common usage in Europe, and not demeaning? Hmmm, on another forum there was a huge thread on it and they got nasty. Saying we weren't Americans and we needed to change all our songs and we were just a psychotic Empire so we needed to give the word back to the rest of the continent because we deserved a crappy sounding name. After that I've been leery whenever I saw the phrase, and I was in shock just now when I saw someone here use it, and I made this thread wondering what the heck was going on...:shock:

 

[Goobieman]

For ~250 years, we have ben called "Americans" of one sort of another.

Why is there suddenly any question about this?

And if you picked 10000 people at random from across the world and asked them who an "American" is, what % of the responses will not refer to someone from the United States?

 

[talloulou]

Is it really a common usage in Europe, and not demeaning? Hmmm, on another forum there was a huge thread on it and they got nasty. Saying we weren't Americans and we needed to change all our songs and we were just a psychotic Empire so we needed to give the word back to the rest of the continent because we deserved a crappy sounding name. After that I've been leery whenever I saw the phrase, and I was in shock just now when I saw someone here use it, and I made this thread wondering what the heck was going on...:shock:

This has actually been something that's been discussed throughout history. I remember reading somewhere that in the Spanish world historically "America" was one continent. No N. America or S. America. Just America. And in Mexico we are called estadounidense which is translated as United Statesian. There were times in history where people considered coming up with a new more descriptive term for United Statesians because of this very problem and the fact that many think United Statesian just doesn't sound good. But Mexicans do not call people from the US Americans, nor do Canadians regularly, nor do many Europeans. However we so commonly refer to ourselves in that manner that most will understand what we mean if we say we are American. I don't think United Statesian is meant to be derogatory however in the recent battles over illegal immigration the fact that we are not the only "Americans" is likely to be thrown in our face. So in terms of discussing citizenship things can get derogatory.

 

[talloulou]

For ~250 years, we have ben called "Americans" of one sort of another.

Why is there suddenly any question about this?

And if you picked 10000 people at random from across the world and asked them who an "American" is, what % of the responses will not refer to someone from the United States?

People throughout the world commonly refer to us by other adjectives. Here's a good website:

Adjectives for U.S. citizens: Information from Answers.com

If you spend your whole life in the US never traveling anywhere else you might not get that others don't automatically label us as "Americans" just because we label ourselves that way. And throughout history the adjective has been debated. It is not new.

The use of American as a national demonym for United States citizens has been challenged primarily by Latin Americans (and Canadians in the past) since 1816 or earlier [1].

I think at one time we considered coming up with new titles ourselves.

 

[Southern Belle]

This has actually been something that's been discussed throughout history. I remember reading somewhere that in the Spanish world historically "America" was one continent. No N. America or S. America. Just America. And in Mexico we are called estadounidense which is translated as United Statesian. There were times in history where people considered coming up with a new more descriptive term for United Statesians because of this very problem and the fact that many think United Statesian just doesn't sound good. But Mexicans do not call people from the US Americans, nor do Canadians regularly, nor do many Europeans. However we so commonly refer to ourselves in that manner that most will understand what we mean if we say we are American. I don't think United Statesian is meant to be derogatory however in the recent battles over illegal immigration the fact that we are not the only "Americans" is likely to be thrown in our face. So in terms of discussing citizenship things can get derogatory.

That goes back to my main word theory. You said the Latin Americans thought it was one continent, is that because they want to be Americans? Our main word is Americans, and there are North America and South America (again first grade) they are two continents. Australians don't have this problem do they? Do New Zealanders call themselves Australian on a regular basis?

 

[talloulou]

That goes back to my main word theory. You said the Latin Americans thought it was one continent, is that because they want to be Americans? Our main word is Americans, and there are North America and South America (again first grade) they are two continents. Australians don't have this problem do they? Do New Zealanders call themselves Australian on a regular basis?

When the continents were discovered they eventually came to be called the Americas or America and were not at first divided into two continents. That name (America or The Americas) incorporated N. America S. America. and central America. So it's not that "they want to be Americans" :rofl it's that historically they are Americans and always were Americans till we became The United States of America and took over the label Americans for ourselves.

 

[Southern Belle]

When the continents were discovered they eventually came to be called the Americas or America and were not at first divided into two continents. That name (America or The Americas) incorporated N. America S. America. and central America. So it's not that "they want to be Americans" :rofl it's that historically they are Americans and always were Americans till we became The United States of America and took over the label Americans for ourselves.

Okay, but nowadays they are 2 continents and that word describes the people of our country, and it's been that way for a long time. Places change over time and that's what happened. It's the best word we've got, is it our fault what happened that gave us the word? The point is, it's our main word.

Anyway I don't really mind what they call us, countries do have different names for things. The point is, I was making sure it was not nasty like it was in that thread I mentioned. I have never heard the phrase before then, although I did hear they call us the States. But in that particular thread is was very derogitory so I thought that's how it always was. The person who used it here was also arguing with someone else Europe vs America so that didn't really help. ^^

If it really is a normal phrase I apologise for being so blunt and defensive.

 

[Goobieman]

People throughout the world commonly refer to us by other adjectives. Here's a good website:

I'm perfectly willing to accept that.

But that doesnt change what I said -- if you ask people all across the world 'who are Americans' or somesuch, the huge majority of them will reference 'people who live in the US' or somesuch.

 

[Hatuey]

Most Hispanic speak clients I talk to refer to anybody from the U.S.(born) as Americanos or Estadounidenses. The latter translate into United Statesians. My French clients say "Americains". I refer to myself as an American in every language I speak(3). What exactly is the problem? :|

 

[Kandahar]

Is it really a common usage in Europe, and not demeaning?

No. They call us Americans or US citizens.

 

[Kandahar]

Most Hispanic speak clients I talk to refer to anybody from the U.S.(born) as Americanos or Estadounidenses. The latter translate into United Statesians. My French clients say "Americains". I refer to myself as an American in every language I speak(3). What exactly is the problem? :|

"Americanos" generally means anyone from the Americas, and "Estadounidenses" refers specifically to US citizens. With that said, they both translate to "American" in English, albeit with slightly different meanings, because "United Statesian" is not a word.

 

[MSgt]

This is actually the first time I have heard the term "United Statesian". I would say though we, people from the U.S. , are referred to mostly as Americans.

It's a European cry of defiance. It's something that is highly insignificant and senseless to bitch about, which strengthens the fact that anti-Americanism is alive and well in Europe.

It's a simple adolescent mentality of defiance. And it is a simple fad amongst our critics who need to feel somehow that they are our superiors. It's laughable.

 

[Hatuey]

"Americanos" generally means anyone from the Americas, and "Estadounidenses" refers specifically to US citizens. With that said, they both translate to "American" in English, albeit with slightly different meanings, because "United Statesian" is not a word.

When they say "Americanos" they're most likely talking about Americans Kanda.

Example :

Esos chicos americanos son locos.

Translation :

Those American guys are crazy.

Most Hispanics refer to themselves as Latinoamericanos or Latinos. Caribeños if they're from Dom. Republic, Puerto Rico or Cuba.

 

[Southern Belle]

Oh great, so it is a slur? Geez, now I'm confused again...

 

[talloulou]

Oh great, so it is a slur? Geez, now I'm confused again...

I look at it this way "United Statesians" can only be a slur if it offends you and why would it? Granted it doesn't roll off the tongue smoothly but it's not offensive as it just means your from the US. And anyone using it as a slur is using it that way out of pure jealousy! :lol: But on a technical level there is nothing wrong with the term. I can also understand how someone from Mexico or Canada might be offended by an "American" claiming that they are not "Amercians" as technically they are.

 

[Southern Belle]

I look at it this way "United Statesians" can only be a slur if it offends you and why would it? Granted it doesn't roll off the tongue smoothly but it's not offensive as it just means your from the US. And anyone using it as a slur is using it that way out of pure jealousy! :lol: But on a technical level there is nothing wrong with the term. I can also understand how someone from Mexico or Canada might be offended by an "American" claiming that they are not "Amercians" as technically they are.

Yeah, good point, :lol:. I hate over-the-top PC and now look what I'm doing. :3oops:

 

[MSgt]

Oh great, so it is a slur? Geez, now I'm confused again...

Yeah, they mean it as a simpleton's slur. Standard Operating Procedure is to pat them on the head and ensure them that they are important too. And maybe a lollipop.