Why do we call the US America?

[Rufusboi]

Why do people all over the world refer to those who reside in the United States of America as Americans? Why not refer to those residents as United Statesians? How do people in other countries of the continent of America refer to United Statesians, by the way? At least when they are trying to be polite?

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by Rufusboi

Why do people all over the world refer to those who reside in the United States of America as Americans? Why not refer to those residents as United Statesians? How do people in other countries of the continent of America refer to United Statesians, by the way? At least when they are trying to be polite?

Everyone in the world does not refer to us as Americans.

I travel a lot, and many people do say Unites Stasians in their language, like Spanish for example.

Estados Unidenses in Spanish speaking South America, or Norte Americanos which does not say what country.

In Europe I hear US.

[Melissa]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Everyone in the world does not refer to us as Americans.

I travel a lot, and many people do say Unites Stasians in their language, like Spanish for example.

Estados Unidenses in Spanish speaking South America, or Norte Americanos which does not say what country.

In Europe I hear US.

I'm from England and all I ever remember hearing is America and Americans, for the most part. The only time I heard any one refer to the US as "The States" was other Americans. But that's just my experience. I'm not as well travelled as you Although I do remember the French calling Americans....well, never mind. That's probably not repeatable. Melissa

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by Melissa

I'm from England and all I ever remember hearing is America and Americans, for the most part. The only time I heard any one refer to the US as "The States" was other Americans. But that's just my experience. I'm not as well travelled as you Although I do remember the French calling Americans....well, never mind. That's probably not repeatable. Melissa

In London I usually hear US, but they seem to abreviate a lot! UK, US, EU and so forth....

And yes, I have only heard people from the US or Canada call the US "the States" and it is only from people who have lived outside the US.

[UofMfan]

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

[Apocalipstic]

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

[UofMfan]

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

[Apocalipstic]

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.

[Semantics]

Originally Posted by Melissa

I'm from England and all I ever remember hearing is America and Americans, for the most part. The only time I heard any one refer to the US as "The States" was other Americans.

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?

[Apocalipstic]

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?

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.

[Melissa]

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]

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~

[Apocalipstic]

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]

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.

[Melissa]

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]

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.