I'm an AMERICAN!!!!

From Peru

from JoeUser Forums
Actually I'm not :-) but I think that raises an interesting question.
Consider this:-
Someone from France is French (are you with me so far :-)) They live on the continent of Europe so they are also European.
Someone from Nigeria is Nigerian and also African.
I am English and European.

My question is this. Surely American refers to all inhabitants of the continents of North and South America?
What is the correct national adjective for citizens of the USA? Is there one? Maybe there is someone out there who can come up with a suggestion.

Yours(in a humble spirit of enquiry)

CAW
misc
3,192 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ummm . . . Americans.

Canadians can claim to be North Americans, but they aren't just "Americans." People from Brazil can claim to be South Americans, but they aren't just "Americans." It might not make a lot of sense, but it's just the way it is.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's my point Wahine. It doesn't make sense. It's like Germans can call themselves North european and Italians south European but The Dutch are EUROPEAN
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
I agree with you it's a big of a quagmire. When I was a kid I inisted on referring to "United Statesans" because I thought just saying "American" was egregious, and a bit arrogant. I gave up the habit, however, because it sounded ridiculous and nobody got what I was saying. I think that's the ultimate answer. Ours is the only country to have America in the title of the nation and "United Statesans" does sound truly weird. And in the early days of the U.S. America, and its borders, was still a fluid thing in places, we weren't sure what the future would hold. So that's how it came about, I expect, and what are we to do about it now?
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Maybe I can add an anecdote at this point. My brother has to visit Detroit often on business. The first time he visited he was asked frequently if he had been to America before. His answer was always (and he admits the devil was in him;-)) "Yes, I went to Lima last year". The reply was either "that's not America!" or "What state is that in?".
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
American's are rather self centered country wise. It makes sense to me to call myself an American because I consider the word American, another way to say U.S.A citizen. I know this sounds rather egotistical and I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I don't consider Canada, Brazil, Mexico or any of the "American" countries American at all. It's not because I look down on those countries, it is because their countries have proper one word names instead of initials or a long series of words. In truth I think we are, "Americans" because we grabbed the only resonable sounding name that was left over.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
You have a point....South America, North America...we are all part of the Americas....Thus we can all consider ourselves "Americans".....but I guess the U.S.A decided to claim the title...it seems as if we just beat the others to the punch as far as the title "American" is concerned...I don't think it has to do with Self Centered-ness or anything like that.

btw...solamente no soy americana....tambien tengo raizes mexicanas
(I'm not only American...I have Mexican roots, too