LDB415 Loc: Houston south suburb

Key word of. This nation is absolutely the United States of America. No different than being one of the Smiths of Ohio or Bakers of Iowa or whatever. There is nothing wrong or incorrect in saying that. It is not wrong or incorrect to say United States either, but both are absolutely correct.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Further to this never-ending battle about naming: Looking at “information” retrieved by Google (of course, the absolute arbiter of all things!), there is total confusion about which country even belongs in which continent. Mexico, in particular, is subject to likely the most disagreement, being listed variously as being in North America, Central America and South America – depending upon whose “authority” you wish to accept! Some group the Central American countries in with South America, some do not. Some include Caribbean countries, some do not. The fairly generally accepted rationale seems to be that from long standing usage, Americans are only those citizens of the United States. Always being a perfectionist, I argue that in actuality, our country is the United States, described in its official nomenclature as being “OF AMERICA”, designating its location. In fact, there can be no simpler – or more LOGICAL – interpretation. And the citizens of every country on the North and South American continents are in actuality “AMERICANS”!!! However, common usage, even in those countries not the United States, does dictate ignoring the correct appellation, wherein a citizen of North, Central or South America truly is an American! This detracts not in the least from those of us either born or naturalized in the United States, as its citizens!!!

In addition to the potential confusion, and arguing for the need for clarity, there have been many other entities designated officially as United States of some location other than America!!! Again, "of America" is a designation of location, which logically should have been "of North America"!!!

Loren – in Beautiful Baguio City

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

As an American member of the liberal left, I assure you that I and most also find that list dumb and irritating. If you look into it, you will find that the list includes lots of commonly used terms and phrases that are now to be avoided.

"Man-power", "grandfather" (?), "brave" (huh?), and so on.
Language evolves on its own accord, and there ain't nothing anybody can or should try to dictate. There is much to also criticize about the far right, but the folks on the far left are wacky too.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Kinda depends on the context, eh?

Like European.......

Canisdirus

So what about the continents?

North...what?
Central...what?
South...what?

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I believe Stanford should change its name. It represents the elite segment of U.S. Citizenry -- those who can attain immortality by giving enough money to have something named after them. Maybe they should change the name to Assholes University and no one could be offended, after all, everyone has one.

BebuLamar

Well I know my place I am not complaining. I can't afford Stanford. I am not an American. I am only a US Citizen. Call me whatever they want. I know my place.

Dannj

They identify with their countries, as Brazilians, Peruvians, Argentinians, etc..
The United States of America was the name decided upon by the founders and made sense at the time according to the boundaries that existed. “American” became a shortened version for the USA. Maybe “Americans” should call themselves United Statesians?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'll stick with American, the old context.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Would it be offensive if Canadians, Central Americans, and South Americans started calling themselves Americans instead of Mexican, Nicaraguan, Colombian, Salvadoran, Brazilian, etc. ……?

Stan

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Well, that would surely change "American Gigolo" and "American Werewolf In London" for us movie fans.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

Makes sense really, since the US is only one of 35 countries in the Americas

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Usanian Werewolf does have a ring though.

Tdearing Loc: Rockport, TX

Excellent work, clearly demonstrates the degree of lunacy or perhaps terminal cancer that has invaded our once higher learning universities. Time to permanently close their doors.