Thread: Why are they called Americans?

That's why they are often called Yanks or Yankees instead of Americans, although I did notice some southerners do not like to be called Yanks. Something to do with the Civil War I believe.

Originally Posted by Kees

That's why they are often called Yanks or Yankees instead of Americans, although I did notice some southerners do not like to be called Yanks. Something to do with the Civil War I believe.

No, it's the other way around. We Southerners are ok with "Yanks" as a non-US citizen might refer to any American, but "Yankees"? - now them's fighting words!

I think I phrased that correctly. I'm sure there are enough other Southerners on here to correct me if I'm wrong...

Originally Posted by Kees

That's why they are often called Yanks or Yankees instead of Americans, although I did notice some southerners do not like to be called Yanks. Something to do with the Civil War I believe.

That would be a "damn" Yank or Yankee. I don't know how much animosity is left in the term Yankee from the Civil War, but I know it's enough that I wouldn't use that term indiscriminately in the deep south. Some southerners act like they are still Johnny Rebs

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

I don't know how much animosity is left in the term Yankee from the Civil War

um, a lot. seriously. I know I'd be very offended. the term, in modern usage, has nothing to do with orientation to the Mason-Dixon line, but rather mindset. in East Texas and parts of Tennessee, it's basically like saying to someone, "you are an overcultured, arrogant, rude, clueless urbanite who probably can't even change his own oil."

you see, us Southerners are portrayed (at least as far as broad media coverage is concerned) as dim-witted, trailer-dwelling neanderthals, while our Northern brethren are shown as perpetually busy, fast talking yuppies with little or no moral fiber. (this applies to New England, and not really the northwest) thus, calling someone a Yankee is to imply that they fit this popular stereotype, which is generally considered highly undesirably here in the South.

Nothing personal but this is one of the most rediculous posts we've had here.

When you really think about it what's in a name anyway. If you look back in history especially in Europe how many countries have changed hands and territories. What do all those people call themselves. The new name or the old name. And their ancestors what about them. My people were from the Austro Hungarian Empire so what would that be now?. And all those countries in Africa that have changes and moved over the past 40 -50 years or so?

There's probably more people in the world in that situation than people who clearly know what they are and who they are. Remember all the Native American's. What are they? The tribes are considered legally to be sovereign nations. What about the old Soviet Union before it broke up, what are they? Ukranians or Russians or what?

We could go on and on with this forever. And what the heck is the difference between England and the United Kingdom anyway? are they English or United Kingians (sounds like a soccer team eh)

Originally Posted by jockeys

Actually, it's "Earthican"

The latin name for the Earth is Terra so we're all Terran. If I started a country in Antarctica called The People's Free Socialist State of Terra. We'd be Terran and you could be too, no matter where you're from. You'd all then be in the same boat that we Canadians are in. Since there are only two other (functional) countries in North America, Canadians and Mexicans strongly prefer to differentiate themselves (and who wouldn't) from "Americans". South Americans seem to have less problem with the obvious paradox of being American without actually being Americans.

Originally Posted by LX_Emergency

I think I'd say United Statians from now on.

I say USAnian. oo-SAY-knee-an

X

Originally Posted by xman

I say USAnian. oo-SAY-knee-an

X

That almost sounds like U.S. alien.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

And what the heck is the difference between England and the United Kingdom anyway? are they English or United Kingians (sounds like a soccer team eh)

There is a difference! Us Brits aren't all English you know. I'm Welsh but live in England. Moved here to find work many years ago. I am still a Welshman even though I live in England. Same for the English, Scots and Northern Irish. We are all Brits but only the English are English!

To add even more confusion to the pot, Britain doesn't include Northern Ireland, that's part of the United Kingdom.

My biggest problem is that, having lived in England for many years. my Welsh accent has changed. Not enough to sound English to the English, but enough to sound English to the Welsh. This means I'm a foreigner in England and in Wales...

Gareth

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Nothing personal but this is one of the most rediculous posts we've had here.

When you really think about it what's in a name anyway. If you look back in history especially in Europe how many countries have changed hands and territories. What do all those people call themselves. The new name or the old name. And their ancestors what about them. My people were from the Austro Hungarian Empire so what would that be now?. And all those countries in Africa that have changes and moved over the past 40 -50 years or so?

There's probably more people in the world in that situation than people who clearly know what they are and who they are. Remember all the Native American's. What are they? The tribes are considered legally to be sovereign nations. What about the old Soviet Union before it broke up, what are they? Ukranians or Russians or what?

We could go on and on with this forever. And what the heck is the difference between England and the United Kingdom anyway? are they English or United Kingians (sounds like a soccer team eh)

Good grief man...what ruined your breakfast

It's just something I was thinking about the other day. I don't think anyone in this thread is taking things all that serious anyway. It's just some light banter and pondering.

The only reason I asked is because I wonder about things from time to time. And I figure that if I don't know myself...and can't think of any reason. Someone else might know.

Because the only DUMB question is one that hasn't been asked.

The difference between England and the UK has already been explained, as for the other people that you're wondering about. I don't know. What is the territory called currently? Officially that is...

As for the indian Nations, usually they're called after the tribe they're part of aren't they? Navaho tribe are Navahos? Ut (where the name Utah comes from) aren't they the Utehs? Uts? I don't know. I'll be wondering now. I'll probably look it up sometime.

Or could it be that you secretly long to be an American, and that's why you are pondering this? It's a common longing among cultural Europeans - in pulbic they poke fun at the US of A, but secretly want to paint their faces red white and blue and scream "hell yeah!"

So try this experiment:

1. Put on a Toby Keith video, if you find yourself jumping up and saying "that's what I'm tawlkin' about", you really want to be an american.

2. Drink a can of budweiser, if you find yourself spitting it out, well.....actuallly that just means you know piss water when you drink it and nothing else. I'll have to think more about this test.....