this post was submitted on 10 Mar 2024
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Today I Learned

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[–] JimVanDeventer@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

No offense intended. I have been to a lot of countries in the Americas and the US (despite being rather big) is not really a place I go to. So when I specify like that, it is from my own experience (and—you know—actual geography and stuff) and I am a little bit sorry to have apparently offended.

Edit: that sounded sarcastic because it was a bit, but really, I didn’t intend to offend. Sorry, let’s be friends.

[–] delirious_owl@discuss.online 2 points 8 months ago (3 children)

Strong agree. For some reason theres a lot of weird US Americans want to claim the word America for their country only. Its silly, ignorant, and rude.

[–] JimVanDeventer@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Honestly, I’m indifferent about it. I’m not a nationalist. Call yourselves whatever you want.

[–] delirious_owl@discuss.online 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Its not about Nationalism. Its about geography.

When you say somethin like "America had had more than one mass shooting on average last year", you annoy most Americans, who dont have these problems that are specific to the US.

[–] JimVanDeventer@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago

Most people are able to infer—by context—that someone saying “America” means US if the topic is the US. They are—to some extent—colloquially interchange, given context. I just didn’t say it myself because it isn’t normal nor natural here. Again, sorry to everyone hung up on my phrasing because it’s a non-issue as far as I’m concerned. Call yourselves and think of yourselves as whatever you want. You have my blessing and approval.

[–] Letstakealook@lemm.ee 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Because it's been used that way in English to refer to people living in a specific region (now the US) since the 17th century. Now non-native English speakers are trying to force a change and (rather hilariously) have started taking offense to it. Really must be a blessed life if that's something worth bitching about.

[–] delirious_owl@discuss.online 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

The first Europeans landed in Canada. The first Spanish landed in Cuba. Neither was what is modern day US

[–] Letstakealook@lemm.ee 1 points 8 months ago

And none of that has anything to do with the origin of the term "Americans" and its usage in the 17th century to refer to British colonists located in what is now the eastern US.

[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

The ship has sailed. The word already refers to the US

[–] Turun@feddit.de 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

In English, not in general. The continent is called America in lots of languages, but the country is most often referred to as the USA. Because that's the title the country has chosen for itself.

[–] intensely_human@lemm.ee 3 points 8 months ago

Yes, we agree that:

  • The continent is called America
  • The country is called the USA

What I’m stating is that:

  • The adjective for a USA citizen is “American”
  • It is not USAsian or whatever got said above
[–] Deceptichum@sh.itjust.works 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

It's not about offence, it's about how ridiculous it sounds.

[–] JimVanDeventer@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

My friend, I am open to suggestions. “American” with like 100-ish countries in it doesn’t really narrow it down for me. Peace and love and all that stuff.

[–] Deceptichum@sh.itjust.works 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

Mate, there is literally only one country with America in it's name.

Furthermore in a 2 continent Americas model, there is no other peoples American could refer to because the people from the continents are either North American or South American.

Shit if anything, United Statesians could refer to the United Mexican States. So you're making it confusing when it wasn't before.

[–] voodooattack@lemmy.world 8 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (2 children)

How about ‘Muricans?

Edit: /s

[–] JimVanDeventer@lemmy.world -1 points 8 months ago

That has negatively built in and I truly didn’t want to offend. But! Given some of these comments, maybe “snowflakes” is the neutral term I should use.

[–] JimVanDeventer@lemmy.world -2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

My friend, I used words with no intention to offend nor dive into pedantry. I am sorry you find it worth going on about. “America”. There, take it. Please have a good rest of your day, friend.

[–] Deceptichum@sh.itjust.works 1 points 8 months ago (2 children)
[–] spacecowboy@sh.itjust.works -5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

You are fuckin ridiculous, you silly United Statesian. This whole exchange is a great example of why most of the world laughs at you.

Edit: I noticed you said “mate” up there. If you aren’t even from the USA this is even more embarrassing for you.