Thread: Why are they called Americans?

Originally Posted by jnich67

I don't have time to look it up right now, but was the US the first proper country in the Americas? If so, maybe that's where the appellation came from because it was appropriate at the time. Otherwise, maybe its like a brand name that sticks because the product is the most common/often thought of - United States of Q-Tip?

Jordan

As far as I know, the USA is currently the oldest nation in the Americas to declare independence from Europe. Haiti was close behind in 1804. I think it has more to do with the name, as you said - the United States of Mexico was just too late

Originally Posted by loueedacat

By the way, why are those from Holland called Dutch? I think I'll call them Hollandaise from now on. If Holland loses 1-0 to Italy, is that a "goose egg with Hollandaise?" Yummy on asparagus too! [Go Orange!]

And why is Germany called Deutschland if the Dutch live in Holland? I'll nether understand these things

Actually...Holland is two provinces in the Netherlands. Noord en Zuid Holland. The rest of the Netherlands isn't Holland at all.

I think the english speakers call us Dutch because they mixed us up with the Germans (Deutsch)...but that's just my theory.

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

Actually...Holland is two provinces in the Netherlands. Noord en Zuid Holland. The rest of the Netherlands isn't Holland at all.

I think the english speakers call us Dutch because they mixed us up with the Germans (Deutsch)...but that's just my theory.

From what I've read, I think you are correct.

This reminds me, today is the first day that the Oyster Bar in NYC will be flying in fresh herring from the NL. Yum! Raw herrring and onions washed down with a cold frosty. I think I have a train to catch!

Jordan

Europeans? This is all so complicated.

Originally Posted by jockeys

yeah. America (the two continents) contains many nations. The United States is one of them. The United States, according to its inhabitants, is by far the most awesome of all these nations. Ergo, we call ourselves Americans because we are the only country in the Americas that really matters.

If you don't believe me, take a look at our foreign policy

there you go trying to make sense out of foreigh policy....

As far as I know, calling ourselves American goes all the way back to the beginning of the country. I can just imagine the founders sitting around with some beers trying to figure this one out...

"Guys, we need a name for us since we aren't Europeans anymore- what do we do?"
"Well, we could be United Statians."
"No, that's stupid."
"How about we just all go by our state affiliations?"
"We're United, remember?"
"Dammit, let's just call ourselves Americans- it's easy and there's no one else here using it."
"Sounds great! Say, gimme another round."

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

As far as I know, calling ourselves American goes all the way back to the beginning of the country. I can just imagine the founders sitting around with some beers trying to figure this one out...

"Guys, we need a name for us since we aren't Europeans anymore- what do we do?"
"Well, we could be United Statians."
"No, that's stupid."
"How about we just all go by our state affiliations?"
"We're United, remember?"
"Dammit, let's just call ourselves Americans- it's easy and there's no one else here using it."
"Sounds great! Say, gimme another round."

I think they called themselves: "We the people of the United States"

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

Actually...Holland is two provinces in the Netherlands. Noord en Zuid Holland. The rest of the Netherlands isn't Holland at all.

I think the english speakers call us Dutch because they mixed us up with the Germans (Deutsch)...but that's just my theory.

Ok, so how do you explain the silly clogs then? And is there a rule that the taller you are, the longer your name has to be (a certain Celtic striker comes to mind, whose name is far longer than that of the shorter Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink).

We Americans dont really care. We are Americans and we like it.

Originally Posted by jockeys

yeah. America (the two continents) contains many nations. The United States is one of them. The United States, according to its inhabitants, is by far the most awesome of all these nations. Ergo, we call ourselves Americans because we are the only country in the Americas that really matters.

If you don't believe me, take a look at our foreign policy

May be somebody needs a name upgrade - earthians?

Who uses 'dutch' anyways, I think that's really old and apparently also incorrect - as far as I know the preferred name is squareheads.

And these deutch people, apparently nobody knows what to call them or where they come from - Deutchland, Germany, Alemania...