while watching a movie an actor said he is american and when he said that he obviously meant that he is from the united states, ive always wondered why U.S. citizens say that, because several countries span across the north and south american continents so wouldnt that make canadians also american, or people in argentina american too ect, ive always thought a correct term would be referring someone to the state they are from such as hawaiian, Californians,ect. the word "state" is another term for country and example would be france can be called a state also, United states of amercia isnt really a country it is just a term saying that this particular group of countries is united, sort of like the european union does anyone get what im saying or am i just crazy, I just believe everyone one on this side of the world is considered "american" and that citizens should be referred to the state that they are from, please no comments insulting countries lets keep this friendly.
TeejK wrote: while watching a movie an actor said he is american and when he said that he obviously meant that he is from the united states, ive always wondered why U.S. citizens say that, because several countries span across the north and south american continents so wouldnt that make canadians also american, or people in argentina american too ect, ive always thought a correct term would be referring someone to the state they are from such as hawaiian, Californians,ect. the word "state" is another term for country and example would be france can be called a state also, United states of amercia isnt really a country it is just a term saying that this particular group of countries is united, sort of like the european union does anyone get what im saying or am i just crazy, I just believe everyone one on this side of the world is considered "american" and that citizens should be referred to the state that they are from, please no comments insulting countries lets keep this friendly.
Google and Wiki are your friends ;
wiki wrote:First uses of the adjective "American" referenced European settlements in the New World. "Americans" referred to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, and subsequently to European settlers and their descendants.[1] English use of the term "American" for people of European descent dates to the 17th century; the earliest recorded appearance is in Thomas Gage's The English-American: A New Survey of the West Indies in 1648.[1] "American" especially applied to people in British America, and thus its use as a demonym for the United States derives by extension.[1]
The United States Declaration of Independence of 1776 refers to "the thirteen united States of America",[3] making the first formal use of the country name; the name was officially adopted by the nation's first governing constitution, the Articles of Confederation, in 1777.[4] The Federalist Papers of 1787–1788, written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison to advocate the ratification of the United States Constitution, use the word "American" in both its original, Pan-American sense, but also in its United States sense: Federalist Paper 24 refers to the "American possessions" of Britain and Spain,[5] i.e. land outside of the United States, while Federalist Papers 51[6] and 70[7] refer to the United States as "the American republic". People from the United States increasingly referred to themselves as "Americans" through the end of the 18th century; the 1795 Treaty of Peace and Amity with the Barbary States refers to "American Citizens",[8] and George Washington spoke to his people of "[t]he name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity…" in his 1796 farewell address.[9] Eventually, this usage spread through other English-speaking countries; the unqualified noun "American" in all forms of the English language now chiefly refers to natives or citizens of the United States; other senses are generally specified with a qualifier such as "Latin American" or "North American."[1]
It is evident you know little about the internal structure of the United states so i will explain this to you.. though some will claim that we are separate countries, since the civil war it is generally agreed upon that the state governments are bound to the Federal Government but with a degree of autonomy (the degree is disputed upon). The fact that we call ourselves Americans is probably due to the fact that we were the first autonomous country in the America's. All of the Rest of the "countries" were colonies so we were the only Americans (OBVIOUSLY natives dont count).
TeejK wrote: I just believe everyone one on this side of the world is considered "american"
You can believe that a tree is a mint chocolate chip ice cream but that doesn't mean it will be delicious and creamy if you try to eat. Just because you don't think that is what the word should mean doesn't change the meaning of the word. Think about it, how awkward, both orally and linguistically, would it be to have to say 'United States of American' to answer the question. If you want everyone in North America to be called Americans you will have to change the name of Mexico and Canada so people stop referring to them as Canadians and Mexicans. We also rarely refer to peoples citizenship by their continent as well, so it seems odd to criticize on those grounds. In this instance the name of the country is similar, and understandably so, to the names applied to the continents. If I told Britain they shouldn't call themselves British, but had to only refer to themselves as European because Britain is on the European continent, they would think I was incredibly dense.
Legally and conceptually speaking, the USA is a confederation of sovereign states, like the EU. In practice, however, they are now effectively a single state with extremely idiosyncratic internal organization. Mass communication and the necessities of defense have fused the states into a single nation, and so identification with that nation is stronger than identification with one's home state (not that the latter is completely absent, it's just a lot weaker).
My bet is Europe ends up the same inside 50 years.
TeejK wrote: while watching a movie an actor said he is american and when he said that he obviously meant that he is from the united states, ive always wondered why U.S. citizens say that, because several countries span across the north and south american continents so wouldnt that make canadians also american, or people in argentina american too ect, ive always thought a correct term would be referring someone to the state they are from such as hawaiian, Californians,ect. the word "state" is another term for country and example would be france can be called a state also, United states of amercia isnt really a country it is just a term saying that this particular group of countries is united, sort of like the european union does anyone get what im saying or am i just crazy, I just believe everyone one on this side of the world is considered "american" and that citizens should be referred to the state that they are from, please no comments insulting countries lets keep this friendly.
Simple - not everyone has been blessed enough by God to be a Texan, so they must settle with second best.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
LordofHats wrote: I thought we should identify ourselves as "Awesomese" but I got outvoted, so it's American.
TeejK wrote: while watching a movie an actor said he is american and when he said that he obviously meant that he is from the united states, ive always wondered why U.S. citizens say that, because several countries span across the north and south american continents so wouldnt that make canadians also american, or people in argentina american too ect, ive always thought a correct term would be referring someone to the state they are from such as hawaiian, Californians,ect. the word "state" is another term for country and example would be france can be called a state also, United states of amercia isnt really a country it is just a term saying that this particular group of countries is united, sort of like the european union does anyone get what im saying or am i just crazy, I just believe everyone one on this side of the world is considered "american" and that citizens should be referred to the state that they are from, please no comments insulting countries lets keep this friendly.
Simple - not everyone has been blessed enough by God to be a Texan, so they must settle with second best.
TeejK wrote: while watching a movie an actor said he is american and when he said that he obviously meant that he is from the united states, ive always wondered why U.S. citizens say that, because several countries span across the north and south american continents so wouldnt that make canadians also american, or people in argentina american too ect, ive always thought a correct term would be referring someone to the state they are from such as hawaiian, Californians,ect. the word "state" is another term for country and example would be france can be called a state also, United states of amercia isnt really a country it is just a term saying that this particular group of countries is united, sort of like the european union does anyone get what im saying or am i just crazy, I just believe everyone one on this side of the world is considered "american" and that citizens should be referred to the state that they are from, please no comments insulting countries lets keep this friendly.
Simple - not everyone has been blessed enough by God to be a Texan, so they must settle with second best.
I'd buy it, if you guys hadn't asked to join us.
Thats just yankee propaganda. Don't believe the lies. the Truth Is Out There!
Typical Texan, always exaggerating things. Simple truth is, EVERY state is butthurt at the awesomeness that is Michigan. We are so cool, we high-five the hole fracking planet!
KingCracker wrote: Typical Texan, always exaggerating things. Simple truth is, EVERY state is butthurt at the awesomeness that is Michigan. We are so cool, we high-five the hole fracking planet!
KingCracker wrote: Typical Texan, always exaggerating things. Simple truth is, EVERY state is butthurt at the awesomeness that is Michigan. We are so cool, we high-five the hole fracking planet!
We can all thank Texas for the reputation of "Ugly Americans". Neuvo riche oil barons traveling to Europe at the turn of the century - loud, brash, uncouth - "Look Maw, them's Frenchman's eatin' a frog!" *shoots guns into the air*
TeejK wrote: I just believe everyone one on this side of the world is considered "american" and that citizens should be referred to the state that they are from, please no comments insulting countries lets keep this friendly.
I thought that the correct term was "North American" if you're speaking about people from the US and Canada. Sort of like asking what is the correct term to address someone living in the UK, as some people refuse to identify as British.
Swan-of-War wrote: We can all thank Texas for the reputation of "Ugly Americans". Neuvo riche oil barons traveling to Europe at the turn of the century - loud, brash, uncouth - "Look Maw, them's Frenchman's eatin' a frog!" *shoots guns into the air*
Damn straight. And boy it was an effort. Do you know how hard it is to drive a Ford F350 double dooley from Fort Worth to Paris? Damn hard.
whembly wrote:I thought it was the "Awesome-sauce 'Murrican"?
This animal was almost extirpated as a result of being shot in the US (and the DDT didn't help, either). Also, the US is tag-team champs at best in the world-war category; and y'all suffered a pretty humiliating defeat on the indie circuit back in the '70s.
whembly wrote:
I've always been unclear on why some people think that the US Army is responsible for the teaching of English.
whembly wrote:
NASA uses Imperial measurements simply because the cost of converting everything is too expensive; which is unfortunate, as Metric is a superior system, even if its typical units of measurement are stupid sizes (seriously, centimeters is stupid. I want a system based on multiples of 10 that starts with inches.)
azazel the cat wrote: I've always been unclear on why some people think that the US Army is responsible for the teaching of English
You may be missing the meaning of the sign there
It's a stupid sign that makes no sense.
Actually in your case it makes sense Because without the U.S. Army Oklahoma would probably have spoken Spanglish as a part of Texas (the country) which would be the first country where english and spanish speakers intermingled commonly.
So Yes Virginia the army is the reason you speak English.
azazel the cat wrote: I've always been unclear on why some people think that the US Army is responsible for the teaching of English
You may be missing the meaning of the sign there
It's a stupid sign that makes no sense.
Really?
So the presense of the Military hasn't prevented the US from being conquored by Russians and Nazi Germany, thus ensuring we are reading the sign in english.
whembly wrote:I thought it was the "Awesome-sauce 'Murrican"?
This animal was almost extirpated as a result of being shot in the US (and the DDT didn't help, either). Also, the US is tag-team champs at best in the world-war category; and y'all suffered a pretty humiliating defeat on the indie circuit back in the '70s.
Um... okay. WW2 would've turned out the same had we not been involved... right... m'kay?
And we didn't lose militarily in the '70s...
whembly wrote:
I've always been unclear on why some people think that the US Army is responsible for the teaching of English.
Wow... really?
whembly wrote:
NASA uses Imperial measurements simply because the cost of converting everything is too expensive; which is unfortunate, as Metric is a superior system, even if its typical units of measurement are stupid sizes (seriously, centimeters is stupid. I want a system based on multiples of 10 that starts with inches.)
Grey Templar wrote: and we are the only country that put the name of the continant into the name of the country.
False.
Edit:
I could have sworn you were false. Looks like I might be eating my words
Edit 2:
Yup. I was thinking of Mexico. But they are the "United Mexican States". Not sure where I got the idea from that they had America in their title somewhere...
Grey Templar wrote: It might be because we claimed that title first, and we are the only country that put the name of the continant into the name of the country.
Grey Templar wrote: It might be because we claimed that title first, and we are the only country that put the name of the continant into the name of the country.
Australia?
He's specifically talking about North America, as the question in the OP is about people from the USoA being the only ones called Americans.
Grey Templar wrote: It might be because we claimed that title first, and we are the only country that put the name of the continant into the name of the country.
Australia?
He's specifically talking about North America, as the question in the OP is about people from the USoA being the only ones called Americans.
Grey Templar wrote: It might be because we claimed that title first, and we are the only country that put the name of the continant into the name of the country.
Australia?
Although Australia as a continent is also know as Oceania, or so my memory tells me.
The term "American" has always struck me as one of those things that became correct after some extended time of misuse and everyone simply accepting it as the older generations died off. Though I really, Really REALLY *REALLY* hate the implications in certain circumstances (irregardless, anyone...?).
To answer some earlier Europe/British posts, speaking as a bona fide Britisher... no, Europe won't be a similar superstate in the next 50 years, and I highly doubt the next 100 even. After that is of course anyone's guess. There are a number of things standing in the way, but most notably are the numerous different languages and currencies - the Euro hasn't caught on in a lot of European countries and many still use their own. Others still use dual-currency systems - there are very few countries using the Euro alone. If Europe is to merge into one that quickly, it will be by force - it happened for the US in the late 18th century. The last time someone tried it here, we showed them where to stick it and still to this day make fun of his moustache and singular testicle.
Another blocker is, well, us. Us former Empire people who don't want to join Europe because, dammit, we're British. We won't stand for some jumped-up noggin halfway across the continent in Brussels telling us what's best for us! Also, we've seen what joining the EU in full could do for our fairly consistently impressive exchange rate, and it's not pretty.
Lastly, somebody asked what would you call someone in the UK that doesn't want to be called British? Simple... you use the country they're from. English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish.
KingCracker wrote: Typical Texan, always exaggerating things. Simple truth is, EVERY state is butthurt at the awesomeness that is Michigan. We are so cool, we high-five the hole fracking planet!
Grey Templar wrote: It might be because we claimed that title first, and we are the only country that put the name of the continant into the name of the country.
Central African Republic and South Africa
But no one actually gives a gak about them (moreso Central African Republic, and they're called Central African . . . what a stupid name), so it's still all good
Super Ready wrote: Another blocker is, well, us. Us former Empire people who don't want to join Europe because, dammit, we're British. We won't stand for some jumped-up noggin halfway across the continent in Brussels telling us what's best for us!
Amusingly, London and Brussels are closer to each other than Washington DC and New York.
Seaward wrote: Amusingly, London and Brussels are closer to each other than Washington DC and New York.
While true, this takes nothing into account from the Germans having the chance to make us speak their language 60 years ago, and they botched it. Not about to start now!
(For anyone wondering, I actually quite like the Germans, it's just too much fun playing the stubborn Britisher...)
Grey Templar wrote: It might be because we claimed that title first, and we are the only country that put the name of the continant into the name of the country.
Central African Republic and South Africa
But no one actually gives a gak about them (moreso Central African Republic, and they're called Central African . . . what a stupid name), so it's still all good
As was pointed out earlier, I was talking specifically about the Americas. Should have clarified.
4oursword wrote: Although Australia as a continent is also know as Oceania, or so my memory tells me.
No. The continent is Australia. Oceania is a region of the Pacific Ocean that includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and various assorted smaller islands.
Its a little divided, I've seen a lot of recent geographical things that say Oceania is its own continent. The same things that also say Eurasia is its own continent.
Some of you all are having a gay moment with a lake......a lake.....a LAKE of all things.....
Well lets see...
Canadian
American
Mexican
Gautamulan
Salvadorian
Hondurian
Belizian
Panamanian
Nicraguan
Costa Rican
Columbian
Venzualian
Brazilian (my Oncology Doctor from here. This guy cracks me up big time and a straight shooter. I toldhm off the bat he was my battle buddy for now on)
Chilian
Bolivian
Peruvian
Ecodurian
Paraguan
Uraguan
We all ryhme
hhhmmmm thought the France had like a bigger presence in South America
4oursword wrote: Although Australia as a continent is also know as Oceania, or so my memory tells me.
No. The continent is Australia. Oceania is a region of the Pacific Ocean that includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and various assorted smaller islands.
Fun fact completely unrelated really! The country of India is not originally part of the Asian continent. It was originally part of Australia, before breaking off and zipping along (geologically speaking) and crashing onto Asia.
4oursword wrote: Although Australia as a continent is also know as Oceania, or so my memory tells me.
No. The continent is Australia. Oceania is a region of the Pacific Ocean that includes Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and various assorted smaller islands.
Fun fact completely unrelated really! The country of India is not originally part of the Asian continent. It was originally part of Australia, before breaking off and zipping along (geologically speaking) and crashing onto Asia.
Good times. Good times.
And the Himalaya's are the dent it left in Asia's hood.
Grey Templar wrote: Its a little divided, I've seen a lot of recent geographical things that say Oceania is its own continent. The same things that also say Eurasia is its own continent.
I would suggest that means that you've seen a lot of recent 'geographical things' that are wrong, then...
Yeah, I agree cause those topics come up every single fething week with same arguments being spouted over and over again, so boring to read there's nothing new and exciting being added to those conversations.
Automatically Appended Next Post: That's not to say those topics aren't important though, it's just we don't need another online discussion about it when it's been talked about a billion times before.
Oh and few people learn anything from them, aren't really open to new ideas and usually remain reaffirmed in their original beliefs that they started with in the thread.
Jihadin wrote: I have yet to met a brit who did not turn down KFC trips
People can wax sanctimonious about social programs and crime if they like, but food and pop culture are where the hearts and minds can truly be found.
Well you be glad to know that the UK has some great entertainment when it come to music and certain TV shows and movies, can't really comment on the food though as I've never been there. I like fish and chips but I've only had ones that were cooked in New Zealand and Canada, oh and
More like we weren't designed to have constant access to food. That applies to animals too. Give them unfettered access to feed and eventually they will become fat.
Some animals find it harder to become fat, usually due to a limitation with their food source's nutrient content.
Unfortunately, we humans have a fairly efficient digestive system and a wide range of edible food.
KalashnikovMarine wrote: Burrito Pizza... I... someone needs to make this, it's hovering at the edge of my mind like a revelation but I just can't reach it
I don't know about Burrito Pizza but Fajita Pizza is awesome and if you have ever had a Reuben Pizza, you will know that that is the king of all Pizza. Not all Americans are fat, the ratio of fat Americans has to be close to Brits with Brit mouth!
The UK has a subsidised dental system (most of the cost is covered by the government). The thing is that it doesn't usually cover cosmetic procedures (such as tooth whitening etc). What you in the US might consider to be "British teeth" is simply "teeth that have not been chemically and orthodontically altered to an unnaturally false level"... or as we call them "American teeth"
Though I do not deny there are many who do not look after their teeth at all, especially in the poorer areas of the UK, as I am sure is the case in the US.
So orthodontics (braces say) are considered a cosmetic procedure? I've always thought of them as a health procedure to correct one's jaw, alignment and prevent complications/surgery down the road.
Dang..that chick teeth......like I mention on another thread...there's a difference between hardcore and stupidity.....teeth like that....french kissing.....I best be drinking with Matty round for round...0200....lights out...and deploying within 36 hrs...other then that...sober....I won't smile or talk to anyone because then they know I'm not british....I'm taking it she from the poorer section or Caz?....so the quality of the females in well off areas teeth are better?
Jihadin wrote: Dang..that chick teeth......like I mention on another thread...there's a difference between hardcore and stupidity.....teeth like that....french kissing.....I best be drinking with Matty round for round...0200....lights out...and deploying within 36 hrs...other then that...sober....I won't smile or talk to anyone because then they know I'm not british....I'm taking it she from the poorer section or Caz?....so the quality of the females in well off areas teeth are better?
KalashnikovMarine wrote: So orthodontics (braces say) are considered a cosmetic procedure? I've always thought of them as a health procedure to correct one's jaw, alignment and prevent complications/surgery down the road.
Braces can be done on the NHS and are free to children (those under the age of 18) and are charged at the standard rate for adults who require them (~£200 + I would imagine the cost of each appointment with an NHS dentist, which is about £16 depending on where you live). You can also pay more to have more expensive types of brace, or different colours of brace, etc...
If you want braces as an adult for purely cosmetic reasons, rather than because you need them you may not be eligible for cover under the NHS and will have to go privately (which can vary from around £2-5k, though some types of braces and centres may be more).
Plenty of information on NHS treatments for various conditions can be found here.
