Why the U.S.A citizens are called Americans?

Question

I don't know if you Americans know, but we, from Latin America, feel a bit of discrimination (another one!) when the U.S.A. people call themselves by and only by the word "American". You all, according to my understanding of the issue, should better say, to express that, "North American less the Mexiacan and Canadians" (because these two are also North Americans.

But, diven that "North American less the Mexiacan and Canadians" is too big, you'd better say (that's my suggestion): "USers". What do you think?

I'm kidding!!!!! However, you should think of that when you, Americans, say that, okay?


Ie-B r a z i l

Answer 1

Yes, I hear of this little annoyance from some of our western hemisphere neighbors. The problem is that others from around the world refer to USA citizens as "Americans" as well. This probably came as an abbreviation for United States of America. Also, no other country has the word "America" in its name. So I don't think the "American" label for us is too big a stretch.

I don't know, USers, might work but doesn't sound quite right. It might not catch on.

I understand what you mean, though. Technically, a good portion of those that live in the western hemisphere are continental "Americans". I did meet a Canadian once that had the exact opposite problem you have: he would rather kill himself than be referred to as "American", haha.

Answer 2

You may be kidding, but it is a question nonetheless.

You are right. You could rightfully call yourself an American, but you would have to always explain the difference. Of course, why do you think we are called "Americans"? Because we are not called" The Mericans (replace the 'r' with 'x' to get Mexicans-interested side note)". The only thing I can think of is that America is the most popular and powerful country out of the three (no offense), and could deserve that title for its citizens in that regard.

But, let's say that you are completely right. Let's say that a new term should be used for the citizens of the United States. We "United Statians" would be too proud to settle for "North Americans". We would need a name that makes us stand out, and isn't too long or complex (drop "United Statians"). Don't ask me, I don't have a clue.

Answer 3

Nope. Not gonna think of that. We're Americans; no hyphen, no add ons, nothing, just Americans. That's our country.
Whereas, the term "Latin America" encompasses a lot of countries:

Argentina
Belize
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Trinidad & Tobago
Uruguay
Venezuela
French Guiana
Guadeloupe
Martinique
Puerto Rico

You can't be from more than one country. So pick one!

Answer 4

Somewhere in a Bible God said to Adam and Eve that they will put names on anything. So we do. The question is do we really have to?Meaning of being something promoted by people from the beginning of time humanity serving a Planet. Being something other than being simply human being makes us that something where human being is last in the line. Being American implies that there is something which is not American.That creates whole ongoing dramas based on divisions . Divisions creating opposites and opposites as it had been proven, dislike each other but cannot exist one without another.Between line we read that there is two choices or being American or being different then that.Being different than that mean being good different and bad different, and so on. Result of it is that what we experiencing domestically and globally , puzzling and confusing names givers, We , definitely cannot call our life Heaven and reluctantly deny to call it Hell, which actually are..

Answer 5

One time I was listening to a speaker from the organization of american states. He brought this up and was very angry about it. But I think the reason is that it is not easy to say citizens of usa, or united statesian. The other countries in the american hemosphere have names which it is easier to do this. brazilian, chliean, mexican, canadian. we just happened to have the word america in the name of our country. I dont think it is on purpose as if we are the only americans, its just easier to say american rather than citizen of the usa.

Answer 6

Pretty good thought on your part. USA as you know stands for United States of America. So we are called Americans. Just like Canada's citizens are called Canadians
As I grew up here, never thought of it as you have. Your right-everyone in the Americas are Americans.

Answer 7

Because its called the United States of America
Not the United States of Mexico or Brazil or Dominican Republic, etc..

Answer 8

Really? If you guys wants to be called Americans too, than why don't you just do so? I think it's because the actual name of our country is United States of America. You know...like the actual name of your country is Republica Federative do Brasil. (I hope I spelled it right). So since the word America is part of our nation's name, I think it's ok for us to be called Americans. After all, you can't do much with the "United States" part, just like you guys can't do much with the "Rebublica Federativa" part. That's why you are Brazilians right?

Answer 9

Because we're the only ones with 'America' in our name. All the other countries have different names.

Because, basically, 'United States of America' is pretty generic, so what else are we to call ourselves?

Answer 10

yo, the citizens are Americas because we live in the United State of America. We are united as one.