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BS: What do Americans call America?
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: sian, west wales Date: 22 Oct 02 - 04:54 AM michaelr, why does it have to be a hoax? Good heavens, man - it's on the BBC. The BBC doesn't 'DO' hoaxes! It was also in one of the American 'big' papers recently; someone e-mailed it to me. They've got maps marked 'America' predating the Amerigo Vespucci (however that's spelt) claim and everything. Hey, it isn't like we're staking any claims or anything! (Although if the Mandan natives hadn't died out, we might have; they were supposedly survivors of an even earlier Welsh exploration.) Just be glad that ap Meurig (as we spell it today) didn't come from North Wales and name it after a local village, Penisarwaun. I'd hate to think how you might abbreviate that ... sian |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Gurney Date: 22 Oct 02 - 04:36 AM When I was a young man in Albion, US or U/S, chalked on a machine, meant unservicable, broken, unusable. just thought y'all ought to know that. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Coyote Breath Date: 22 Oct 02 - 02:02 AM When over in France I called it "the land of the round doorknobs" Think about it. Also, "home" and "back home" when not at home. Bee Dubya el: I never heard of Wounded Knee Reservation. There are Cheyene River, Pine Ridge, Standing Rock, Rosebud and probably one or three more that my memory can't recall. I'm not sure but I think the Wounded Knee "Battleground" (changed to the Wounded Knee Memorial whose gate was graced with a sign that said "Massacre" for a while anyway) is on Rosebud. or maybe Pine Ridge CB |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 21 Oct 02 - 11:03 PM "The United States of Pugholia"? Doesn't quite have the same ring, does it? I see that the article sian linked to is on a BBC website. Perhaps hosting the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy site has made the web-lackeys at BBC a little dodgey. Next week they'll probably tell us that Arthur Dent has been chosen to be Chairman of the Board of the BBC. Bruce |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 21 Oct 02 - 10:29 PM I'm glad Alexander Pughole didn't donate the most money. Jerry |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: michaelr Date: 21 Oct 02 - 09:24 PM sian -- that has GOT to be a hoax! Cheers, Michael |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: EBarnacle1 Date: 21 Oct 02 - 10:29 AM Troll, would you accept "The Thirteen Colonies Chartered by the English Monarchy on the North American Continent that Rose up and Won their Independence in a Rebellion that lasted from 1775 through 1783" as a replacement for the "13 colonies?" It's a bit cumbersome but, if you really want it, I think we can get the world to change. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: 53 Date: 21 Oct 02 - 09:48 AM You could call it America. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: sian, west wales Date: 21 Oct 02 - 09:17 AM Re: the naming of America, this is worth a read. sian |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Troll Date: 21 Oct 02 - 07:02 AM To set the historical record straight, there were NOT "thirteen colonies". There were seventeen, the thirteen that everyone knows about plus East florida, West Florida, Canada, and Nova Scotia. These last four remained loyal to the Crown and gave great service during the war not only as a haven for loyalist refugees from the rebelling colonies but with troops as well. These troops usually took the form of auxilliaries (rangers etc.) attached to a regular Birtish line unit. Those groups which fromed in the rebelling colonies such as Fannings Rangers in the Carolinas operated more or less independently. So now you know "the rest of the story." troll |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Hrothgar Date: 21 Oct 02 - 04:54 AM Don, Is that Blaine the one referred to as "Blaine! Blaine! James G. Blaine! Continental liar from the state of Maine!" - in the 1884 presidential election campaign? p.s. I think there was a "United States of the Netherlands" during the 16th century. It was the Dutch alliance fighting against the Spaniards. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Kaleea Date: 21 Oct 02 - 04:51 AM Gee, I call it "home." When I was overseas, I suppose I said, "The States" on occasion, but even "over there" I usually heard The USA referred to by Americans as "home." |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: EBarnacle1 Date: 21 Oct 02 - 12:32 AM A few years ago, I had an opportunity to visit a friend in Montreal. When there, I realized that, as a resident of the United States, I, as others, had been guilty of calling us America, as though Canada and Mexico didn't signify. Since then, when referring to the continent, I call it North America and call each of the countries by name. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Blues=Life Date: 20 Oct 02 - 11:49 PM Jerry, you are right that "We would probably find it easier to communicate with the other countries on these two continents if we had a common language." But, heck, I work for a Canadian company, and I can tell you, I'd find it easier to communicate with CANADIANS if WE shared a common language! :-) Blues |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: GUEST Date: 20 Oct 02 - 11:49 PM I grew uphearing it called CONUS or the contiguous 48. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 20 Oct 02 - 10:28 PM Kinda like black folks not using the term African-American all that heavily... at least among my friends and family. They don't normally refer to their color. I don't spend a lot of time referring to myself as white, or Danish-American, either. Jerry |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Sorcha Date: 20 Oct 02 - 09:45 PM I had a full blood Apache tell me the same thing. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 20 Oct 02 - 09:40 PM A few years ago, our band played at a benefit to raise funds so that the Lakota of the Wounded Knee Reservation could build their own memorial and museum without having the Feds put their stamp on it. The Lakota gentleman who spoke to the crowd referred to himself as an "Indian". He said that "Native American" is really a stupid term because anyone who was born in instead of immigrated to America is a "Native American", regardless of race. I have since seen this same sentiment expressed by others, including author Tony Hillerman who, though white himself, seems to have a pretty good grasp of the Indian psyche. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: CarolC Date: 20 Oct 02 - 09:11 PM P.S., Shields Folk, I have met many highly patriotic Indians (as many prefer to be called rather than "Native American") who make it very clear that they consider themselves "Americans" and "First Americans", and whatever tribe or tribes they come from. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 20 Oct 02 - 09:09 PM I don't know if the term was used earlier, but the term united States of America (note that "united" is not capitalized) was used in the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776: We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States It was legally formalized as the name for the country by The Articles of Confederation, the country's "first constitution", a short-lived document which oversaw a much looser confederation of states than what is provided for by our current Constitution. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Amergin Date: 20 Oct 02 - 08:55 PM call it norht idaho....and the rest is unimportant..... |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: CarolC Date: 20 Oct 02 - 08:48 PM Fascinating to note that none of the United States citizens remembered that they share their continent with some other countries. --Peter from Essex What on earth are you trying to say, Peter? Shields Folk, my understanding is that different "Nations" of "Native Americans" have different names for themselves. For example, the Navajo people "call themselves Diné, their homeland being Diné Bikeyah and their language Diné Bizaad". ...according to this site. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 20 Oct 02 - 08:31 PM Peter of Essex: Referring to America as the United States of America actually identifies our country. It does not deny the existence of other countries in North and South America, and it is not normally delivered in a smug and condescending way... Clearly you can hear the appreciation of our Canadian Catters in this thread. We would probably find it easier to communicate with the other countries on these two continents if we had a common language. Jerry |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Nigel Parsons Date: 20 Oct 02 - 07:44 PM Bee Dubya Ell: of course the name "United States" only came to the forefront once there was a successful war against "The Confederate States of America". "The C.S.A" would put the country higher up any alphabetical list of countries! Nigel (Welsh & proud of it!) |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Shields Folk Date: 20 Oct 02 - 05:33 PM What do Native Americans call America? What do Native Americans call Native Americans ? |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: DougR Date: 20 Oct 02 - 05:23 PM America. DougR |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Thomas the Rhymer Date: 20 Oct 02 - 05:20 PM The land of the free. The lower fourty eight. The wild west. Rich. Inconsiderate to the rest of the world. Home. The 'states'. Corporate candy. Coast to coast strip mall. Home of the brave. The ewe ess. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: GUEST Date: 20 Oct 02 - 05:01 PM IF my PM thing were broken in the John....I'd probably be a Hull lot more like you. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 20 Oct 02 - 04:57 PM
Oh, Beautiful,
Which is a lot better than people are calling Hull...since thae begin practiking creualty to anamuls
Sincerely, |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: DonMeixner Date: 20 Oct 02 - 04:31 PM Regarding Vespucci. He was a cartographer and explorer. And while his new world explorations may have been secondary to Columbus and Cabot, he did some exploration of South America that was ground breaking stuff. During his time he was considered highly by the Spainish, enogh to be made an Admiral. His maps were used into the 1500's . The following is from The Catholic Encyclopedia " It is well known today that Vespucci was in no way responsible for the fact that his name, and not that of Columbus, was given to the new World, and therefore, that he certainly does not deserve the charge of theft that has been made against him by many; among them, the famous American publicist, Emerson, who was led into error by partisan writers. On the other hand, the affectionate correspondence between the two great navigators would suffice to disprove all unworthy accusations. The charge received some support form the efforts of a considerable portion of the clergy, throughout the world, to obtain the canonization of Columbus, which, however, was unsuccessful, when the merits of the case were examined, by order of Leo XIII, on the occasion of the fourth centenary of the discovery of America. At that time, the general outcry against Amerigo Vespucci was so great that the famous American statesman Blaine, upon the occasion of the exposition at Chicago, published a book under the title of "Columbus and Columbia," in order that it might not be contaminated by the unholy name of Vespucci. "" Me I cakk it America because I always have. Don |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: The Pooka Date: 20 Oct 02 - 04:25 PM Peter from Essex, yes we did so remember; see Bobert & artbrooks above. And I say: what they said. But yes, "America" is probably the most common usage, including by me. / But I'll answer: My Country. (Yeah I've got a sentimental second-favorite. But Amen, this is Home.) By the way Peter, in my state, Connecticut, there's a lovely Town of Essex. (So what, you say? I dunno; I mention it in passing. :) |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Art Thieme Date: 20 Oct 02 - 04:14 PM I called America whenever I was in another nation. It used to be the only way I could talk to my wife when I played gigs in Winnipeg. Art Thieme |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: GUEST,Peter from Essex Date: 20 Oct 02 - 04:06 PM Fascinating to note that none of the United States citizens remembered that they share their continent with some other countries. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Mooh Date: 20 Oct 02 - 03:32 PM Thanks. Who actually chose (invented, whatever) the name? Was there a time when another name was considered? First usage? The name is obviously descriptive, but so would be others. Just wondering about the W5 of the name itself, or whether it was even a consideration. Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 20 Oct 02 - 10:52 AM The name "America" is from the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci who was incorrectly given credit for "discovering" the land mass. More properly, it should probably be called Columbia, but another country further to the south has already taken that name and even the Bush administration probably wouldn't want to create an incident by trying to steal it back. However, the "D.C." in "Washington, D.C." does stand for "District of Columbia" and virtually every state has a city or town named "Columbia" in it (the best-known being in South Carolina and Missouri) and the Northwest's mightiest river is the Columbia. Of course, the whole issue ignores the fact that there were millions of people already living here when the continent was "discovered" by Europeans. However, they have taken a small parcel of revenge by saddling the names of many of our states, cities, towns, counties and rivers with unpronounceable names like "Opelika". The term "United States" was born when the original thirteen British colonies, who had come to view themselves as independent political entities, hence "states", chose to "unite" in the form of a federation. The name is a reflection of their wish to retain a large number of their powers for themselves as opposed to ceding them all to the central government. Had the founding fathers chosen to give all powers to the central government, they may have named the country a simple one-word name like most of the others in the world. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: John MacKenzie Date: 20 Oct 02 - 10:33 AM We know what Bruce Springsteen calls it! |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Mooh Date: 20 Oct 02 - 10:26 AM Besides the many native culture place names, I live in a land full of place names which come from another continent so this isn't a stones and glass houses thing... To me, the United States of America, like the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (and other countries), always seemed so unimaginative and unworthy names for large and influencial countries. Almost as if the name was only to be a temporary moniker until a real name was chosen. Not that the USA could change it now, but I wonder why it, and many other countries, didn't find a more poetic or original name. Seriously, I'm interested in knowing how the name came about. Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: 53 Date: 20 Oct 02 - 10:20 AM Home |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: MMario Date: 20 Oct 02 - 09:35 AM North, South or Central? Historically--- British, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: artbrooks Date: 20 Oct 02 - 09:34 AM Or can't spell... |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Bee-dubya-ell Date: 20 Oct 02 - 09:31 AM Some of us with radical left-wing anarchistic tendencies refer to it as "Amerika", particularly when our elected (or appointed) representatives enact policies that trample on the rights of its own people and/or others. |
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Subject: what state is washington dc in? From: saulgoldie Date: 20 Oct 02 - 09:27 AM Mr. Happy: It was probly a trick question by a cunning teacher to remind you that they do not have Federal representation as do most of the rest of us. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: John Hardly Date: 20 Oct 02 - 08:51 AM DC isn't *in* a State. It is a district and tucked between Maryland and Virginia. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Mr Happy Date: 20 Oct 02 - 08:43 AM apologies for slight thread drift, my friend anne's son recently had a school homework question, 'what state is washington dc in?' we didn't know- what's the answer? |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: artbrooks Date: 20 Oct 02 - 08:35 AM Like Bobert said. |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Bobert Date: 20 Oct 02 - 08:10 AM Ol' hillbilly sniffin' a trap here but any one of the following: "the States", "America" or the "US". The first and last are Okay but now America, which is probably the most common is somewhat arrogant, I would think because of the fact that the American continent contains so many different countries with different histories, cultures and languages. But, yeah, "America". Bobert |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Leadfingers Date: 20 Oct 02 - 07:56 AM My ex girlfrind from Manhattan always referred to America as the bit that wasnt New York |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Troll Date: 20 Oct 02 - 06:43 AM I usually say "home or "The States." troll |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 20 Oct 02 - 06:18 AM You're welcome, John. All heart-felt. Your question is actual a reasonable one. On Mudcat, I usual refer to us types as Amuricans, in my best John Wayne imitation(don't particularly like John Wayne, but Madison Avenue seems to have adopted him as being a true "American." I'm more pleased to have Jimm Carter recognized as an American, meself. When I refer to America, I either use "America" or the United States." Never gave any thought to any reason why I'd use one or the other. If rarely use "U.S.A.", just as most Irish probably don't refer to Ireland as "The Emerald Isle." I never refer to America as the land of Infidels or Satan's Backyard. :-) Jerry |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 20 Oct 02 - 06:11 AM Jerry-Thanks for the nice PM you sent me, I could not reply to it as my PM thing seems to be broken.john |
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Subject: RE: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 20 Oct 02 - 06:08 AM Home. Jerry |
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Subject: BS: What do Americans call America? From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull Date: 20 Oct 02 - 04:19 AM |