Define American

[puddle jumper]

I know some one on hear will slam me for this but hear it goes.
Im Canadian but still an american.If i came from Mexico i would be an american.Even if i lived any were in Central or South America i would be an american.So my question is why do people from The United States of America refer to the selves as americans as if thay are the are the only ones?
Not trying to pi$$ any one off but just would like to know.
pj

 

[Pony]

Re: Define American

The simplest reason I can think of is that "America" is part of the actually name of our country, which just so happens to be in North America.

What else could we call ourselves?

I tend to think of it as we are the only Americans, but NOT the only North Americans.

 

[crunch]

Re: Define American

And it would be damed awkward to call ourselves Unitedstateians 8)

 

[crunch]

Re: Define American

Ohhhhh.... see my Lawyer about copy right infringements.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Define American

Im Canadian but still an american.

As an American I'd never consider myself a Canadian.
I guess I don't understand what you're meaning.

The long list is pretty complex and can be debated.
But there is a direct and simple answer.
Our founders valued the "individual". It relyed and encouraged individualism.
Not to say that in todays America that much is as intended. But you'd be hard pressed to win the individualism debate.

 

[crunch]

Re: Define American

Gaaaaaaaaa.... what was I thinking?... tex is going to come over here and accuse me of assuming control of the USA... imagining myself as emperor, proclaiming myself as God........ what was I thinking?... shoot me please?

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Define American

As an American I'd never consider myself a Canadian.

Then again Rosie O'Donnell as an American seems to make a pretty good Canadian.

 

[QC]

Re: Define American

I have been reading an historical account of the American Revolution. Even in the early 1770's the British called the Rebels Americans, heck the Rebels called themselves Americans. I'm thinking the name stuck before the new country was even named . . .

 

[Firestar]

Re: Define American

As an American I'd never consider myself a Canadian.

Then again Rosie O'Donnell as an American seems to make a pretty good Canadian.

d8)

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Define American

American is a shortened version of "United States of American".

No one is a citizen of a continent, people are citizens of a COUNTRY.

When you say "American" everyone knows you mean from the USA.

What is the basis of your argument? What is your point?

Ken

 

[jtexas]

Re: Define American

there goes crunch, proclaiming himself emperor of the world, imagining himself as god, and...what was that other thing?

Anyway, don't be offended, pj, just as KIZ says, its an abbreviation. Suggest some alternatives, we'll consider them. Here's one to get you started: how bout we just call ourselves "US". Or U's.

In the meantime, there really should be no shame in refering to yourself as "Canadian" - it's more precise, really, and Canada has a lot to offer the world...Moosehead beer and kick-a** hockey players to name a couple. And you might just have the only "officially" bi-lingual country in all the Americas.

And without Canada, the World Series would be just another championship match.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Define American

I consider myself a Yankee.

 

[QC]

Re: Define American

Isn't Pamela Andersen from Canada? That's something to be proud of.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Define American

Skinnywater I dont get what you mean I live in Canada

Ken when you talk to a foreign person from over seas thay think of an american as a person from North America not just the USA

itexas im not affended at all im proud of it like alot of you guys in the states are of your country.Ya that was cool when we won the world series back to back8)

QC she was born about 3 hours south of me .Shes hot but you should see some of the other girls on the island .
It must be the island life.

Thank you . Your right what else would you call your selfs and it sounds like its part of your countrys heritage
and you all have helped me understand the diffrent points of view i read in these forums

 

[crunch]

Re: Define American

"there goes crunch, proclaiming himself emperor of the world, imagining himself as god, and...what was that other thing?"

Kudos... Nice comeback 8)

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Define American

[colour=blue]

Ken when you talk to a foreign person from over seas thay think of an american as a person from North America not just the USA

I disagree, Canadians from Canada, Americans from the U.S.A and South Americans from all the countries south or the U.S.
Maybe you are referring to some foreigners who are unable to distinquish between the accents?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Define American

[colour=blue]

Isn't Pamela Andersen from Canada? That's something to be proud of.

Yeah but Celine Dion evens the ledger :%

 

[QC]

Re: Define American

Good point Aldo. Canada sucks . . .

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Define American

Dunaruna i gess it depends who you talk to.

QC just remeber it was you guys in the states that made her an multimillionaire.d

 

[QC]

Re: Define American

Yeah, and we keep paying her day in, day out, and she lives right next to my favorite lake, and she probably doesn't even have a boat, even though she could have a really, really beeg one, and commute to the strip in her helicopter, that she puts down on that boat at the mouth of the Grand Canyon. Oh, the horror and stupidity, ahhhhhhhhhhh.

O.K. I'm better now . . . That's just how an American would do it.