american vs gringo

N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 10:10:

Cokees

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 10:11:

Kilos Or you could call them "Kilos"

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caslug says on Jun 17, 2005, 10:20:

ooohh.. that's low blow.. Where's the defender when you need them???

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 10:24:

No Country Called Gringo Let's make this clear once and for all. South and Central America are NOT countries. The United States Of America is. That is the difference. Hence the name "American," which refers to the United States Of America which is a sovereign nation. Get a clue. People are referred to by the name of their country. There is no country called Gringo. Duh!!! By the way, does the word "gringo" even have a definition, or is it just one of those terms like the "n" word that was invented just to insult people?

Jay

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quindioman says on Jun 17, 2005, 10:32:

slang colombian criollos/cafeteros
n2watersports....i will ignore that comment

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 17, 2005, 10:47:

not so We don't call Italians just Europeans or Vietnamese just Asians. America is a continent (or two), and in the second place a part of the name in a country. It's not by far the only country that has a compound name but the only one which has had the arrogance to usurp the name of the whole continent as a part of the name and as the name for its people.

Secondly, every other slang expression of a people cited by michael is derogative, except gringo. I wouldn't dream of calling an Italian a "dago" to his face or a Mexican a "beaner". That would be very poor manners indeed. However, I call all my gringo friends gringo to their faces, and nobody feels insulted by the name.

I wish there would be another name less controversial than "American" for the good people of the United States. Statians? USAmericans could be a fairly good substitute. The Spanish language has solved the problem more elegantly, having a non-slang name: estadounidense. It's a little long, but Spanish-speakers are not overwhelmed by words that have more than two syllables.

Slang expression for Colombians? Colombiche is one of them.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 10:48:

Just Having Fun You know I'm just having fun Cockney. Honda has to pay me for something and I've already seen most of the good free porn that's on the net today. ;)

Jay

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 10:53:

Americans Well Desi, in both of the two major world wars we were referred to as Americans. If you travel the globe you will find out that we are referred to as Americans. We are both loved and hated, feared and underestimated, but we are always called Americans. It's a tough life but somebody has to live it.

Jay

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Caballista says on Jun 17, 2005, 10:56:

Once again!!!!! Colombia: Colombianos
Colombianos: hechados pa'delante
Continent: América

South America: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brasil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Argentina.

North América: Canada, USA and Mexico
USA (United States Of América
Norteamericanos, Gringos, Monos del Norte.
Continent: América

Gringo: The word is from Mexico, many years ago: Green Goes!!!! verdes váyanse de Méjico!!!

Central América: Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador
Continent: América.

Remember: USA!!!tralala, USA!!!tralala!!! USA!!!tralala.Bis Remember????
United States OF América: USA.
Continent: América

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michaelz says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:02:

desi Desi, you found us out. It was all a conspiracy.

The name "United States of America" was expressly chosen to steal the birthright of the poor, downtrodden, oppressed peoples of South America. We originally wanted to call our country the "United States of the Western Part of the Norther Hemisphere", but we decided it was better to steal "American" than to be called "Hemisphereians".

There are many in this country object strenuously to being called "gringos". I don't mind, but then I don't mind it when my dago friends call me a Kraut either.

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:05:

Earthling Wow!!! This is really entertaining. I am engaged to a very beautiful Colombiana and she doesn't suffer from the type of insecure anxiety that I see on this website. It may be the result of the fact that she is not from the obviously stuffy and conceited Colombian upper-class that thinks just because they have a car that gives them a license to p1ss on all the poor people as they drive by. It must really suck to be so insecure that you have to try to rob a people of the name that the rest of the world has given them. Next you'll tell me that I can't call myself an Earthling because you are on this planet too. ;)

Jay

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:08:

Michael Hey Michael. I don't mind it when my black friends call me a cracker, or when my Japanese associates call me round-eye.

Jay

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dwmte says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:09:

my family is mestizos a mixture of just about everything 'american' and american indian.

my father used to refer to us as 'skins'. hmmmmm skinsians?

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caslug says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:12:

langauge usage is evolving.. I'm sure 200 yrs ago, people in the world ask "Who the F**K is american/america" Eventually with the USA becoming more prominent on the world stage, people from around the world started EQUATING(right or wrong) the word "American" with people from USA. If USA was called United States of ColUmbia, we would called ourselves ColUmbian now. But they used United States of AMERICA..hence AmericaN for short.

Anyone that seriously have a problem w/ this I recommend starting an education petition drive education people to start calling US citizens something else.. Maybe you can start by education the school system in South & Central America then work your way up north thru MExico, US & canada.. Who knows maybe in 100 years the Everyone in the AMERICAS(North, Central, & South) will refer to themselves as AMERICANS!! Then US citizen will be FORCED to find another name!!

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Caballista says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:15:

Good Point caslug. Thank you.

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:20:

at ssholamericans You could just call us at ssholamericans. That's what half the planet calls us anyway. Especially in the middle-east. ;)

Jay

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:22:

conspiracy, no I don't think so I have this theory that you started to call yourselves "Americans" on the rebound, since Colombia had already taken the name that you really wanted:)

Casilug, yes, language evolves and the terms that once were totally acceptable acquire new meanings, just like "gay" used to mean merry, negro used to mean black (still does, in many languages) etc.

No, I don't have a serious problem with the misnomer. It's just as anecdotal as calling West Indies that particular archipelago in the Caribbean.

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Albatross says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:23:

... Who the F cares what others think we should call ourselves ?
Would anybody here be interested if someone didn’t like your use of the name your parents gave you ?

The only real controversy here is just how pathetic people are to suggest that we should be ashamed of using our own name.

I was born an American in the USA, and I’ll die an American. So sue me...

“Democracy - a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H.L. Mencken

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fill says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:27:

gringo Word History: In Latin America the word gringo is an offensive term for a foreigner, particularly an American or English person. But the word existed in Spanish before this particular sense came into being. In fact, gringo may be an alteration of the word griego, the Spanish development of Latin Graecus, “Greek.� Griego first meant “Greek, Grecian,� as an adjective and “Greek, Greek language,� as a noun. The saying “It's Greek to me� exists in Spanish, as it does in English, and helps us understand why griego came to mean “unintelligible language� and perhaps, by further extension of this idea, “stranger, that is, one who speaks a foreign language.� The altered form gringo lost touch with Greek but has the senses “unintelligible language,� “foreigner, especially an English person,� and in Latin America, “North American or Britisher.� Its first recorded English use (1849) is in John Woodhouse Audubon's Western Journal: “We were hooted and shouted at as we passed through, and called ‘Gringoes.’�

fill

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michaelz says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:27:

desi Desi - I beg to differ. USA came first, not colombia. We beat you to independence by a good 30 years.

Caslug has a good point. In 1781, the residents of the 13 newly independan colonies WERE the only Americans. Prior to our revolution, people in the 13 british colonies were british subjects and considered themselves to be british. In South America, there was no colombia, no equador - there was new granada, new spain etc. The residents of those countries were spanish subjects and considered themselves part of the spanish empire.

When the USA was named, we were the only free country in this hemisphere. Every other territory was a part of Spain, France or England. Hence, in 1789, the residents of the USA we were the first and only true americans. As to the name, first come, first served.

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:28:

The thing that is interesting about this is our nearest neighbors, Canada and Mexico, do not have any problem calling us Americans. Also they themselves would never refer to themselves as Americans nor would they appreciate others doing so. The whole "American" thing is a South American issue. BTW, the offical name of Mexico is "Estados Unidos de Mexico" so there is more than one United States on this continent. Why don't we like gringo? In Mexico it's an N word. I referred to myself as a gringo with a Mexican friend here and she winced when I said it.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:37:

I don't disagree with the historical facts michael. However, I don't know if it is true or just a myth, but in the early years of the US as an independent country the name issue was discussed in the Congress and the name Columbia was suggested. It was not acepted, since Colombia as an independent republic had already taken the name of the Italian seafarer.

In the early history of the southern settlements the term American was widely used even for the criollos in Nueva Granada and Perú. As late as in the end of the 18th century there's plenty of references in the literature for that fact. I guess South Americans never were entirely comfortable with the fact that US had adopted the term "americano" as their gentilicio, thus this ongoing discussion about it.

Cheers,
Desi
(a gringa, but not americana)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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kernow62 says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:37:

How about using the term Yankee or Yank? Is that preferable to gringo. Yank is what Americans were known as during WW2 rather than Americans for the most part, both in a nice way and a less well-liked way.

By the way I don't think gringo when used by Colombians is derogatory, otherwise I wouldn't have named my website gringoincolombia.com

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dwmte says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:39:

nah, cowboy... gringo doesn't equate with the 'n' word. not even.

been all over mexico...might say i grew up with in and around it. but never felt 'niggered' when the word gringo was used. too, it's different, a gringo can call himself a gringo the same as someone else can and it's cool.

a black can call another black, 'n' and that's cool. but if another race person does so, it's taboo.

interesting.

dw

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:41:

Yankee Are you callin me a yankee, boy? Thems fightin words. Be proud if you're a rebel cause the south will rise again!

Jay

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kernow62 says on Jun 17, 2005, 11:52:

Jay, sorry about that. I know Southerners are the cream of the crop in the US, except Texans. ;-)

But that is just what other countries sometimes call Americans. Remember "Yankee Go Home"? They didn't mean just the ones from the North. ;-)

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Colombiche says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:00:

Actually my friends, let me enlighten you COLOMBICHE is the slang word for Colombiano(a). That is why I picked it as my nick.

Besos

COLOMBICHE (que mas?)

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:07:

LMAO!!!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:10:

yes, Colombiche I said that in an earlier post...
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:10:

Colombiche, you have some interesting posts. I thought you picked that nickname as the obvious combination of two words. ;)

Jay

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:13:

DW, in South Texas, gringo is an N word. Here it is not cool to call someone a gringo and any Mexican who did so would quickly find himself in need of assistance. No Mexican here will use the word unless they intend to make trouble which is why my friend reacted the way she did. Listen to the Mexican group "Molotov" and their song "Beaner" where insults are exchanged from both sides of the border:

Don't call me gringo,
You f**kin beaner
stay on your side
of that goddamn river
don't call me gringo,
You beaner!!!

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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caslug says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:15:

instead of gripping about Americans being.. called americans.. How about NON-AMERICAN tell us an easy name to refer to ourselves IN SPANISH.. United States in Spanish is very difficult for me to pronounce, N. americano is OK, but how do i differented from Canadian? Maybe Colonist? after the original 13 colonies?

how about Bushies after our Pres.. actually that's not a bad idea, we call ourselves after the sitting president(regardless if you voted for him or not).. It would be complete fair and partial..so if hilary wins in 2008 then we call ourselves, soy clintonites.. or if McCain wins we say.. Soy McCainites, or if Jeb Bush wins we get to continue using Soy Bushies..

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kernow62 says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:19:

Yanquis!

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:20:

Skin Color I don't particularly like the word gringo because it is a term of skin coloration. I don't think other people like to be catagorized by their skin color either.

Jay

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:22:

Title Of course, if you want to call me an at sshole I'll probably accept that title and wear it proudly. ;)

Jay

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kernow62 says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:23:

gringo = green skinned

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krisk says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:25:

i prefer infidel. that has become popular lately. you cant beat a name like infidel. i love being called that. it has a catchy ring to it.

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caslug says on Jun 17, 2005, 12:26:

too bad.. that the founding fathers.. when they wrote the Declaration of Indpendence didn't give the bird to English Crown by saying, "screw the Queen and Country, from now on we people of the 13 colonies refer to ourselves as Mo..Fo.. because we're screwing over England our motherland.." Hence from that 1776 and on, people of the United States consider ourselves MOFO(hint: like Elmo).. Then wherever i go i can say i'm a mofo(long or short is name is OK).. How do you say that in spanish?

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:03:

I guess since we are a bunch of MOFOs we may as well wear the name proudly.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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santiBOG says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:10:

OK here's an alternative to the word 'gringo'.... how about cokesniffers?

or happynose?

To us Colombians, however, you'll always be gringos. And we're ALL American.

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:13:

Like I tell my wife, you can think what you want. And we'll think what we want.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Cerealkiller says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:13:

Oh well Id like to just leave it on "it depends on the person" I mean personally Ive been so much in contact with the word gringo it amuses me to the marrow so thats how I call my american friends...Rest of them are just Americans I suppose...but come on, calling a european "gringo"...that is just wrong!!! :P

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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lockheed says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:21:

Nick Names When I went to boarding school in the U.S. the Americans use to call the Latin Americans especialy the Mexicans "SPICS" and the other Latinos didn't bother much with it but the Mexicans use to get very pissed off, but the Mexicans started calling the Americans "GRINGO" first, I never understood these issues.

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Neonovo says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:21:

No sean tan Agropecuarios... Agropecuario is my term to insult fellow colombians with; specially those ego-inflated babosos who live the delusión that because they've lived in "el extranjero", or wear accoutrements made in USA, can pass themselves off as Americanos.

While I hold such agropecuarios with contempt, is sort of a self-deprecating stance, as I my self carry the agropecuario gene; my grandma used to call me "mi mono americano" when she was happy with me, or "este kaiser" when she was not, all on account of my light brown hair.

So like it or lump it, the USA was created under the auspicies of a group of visionaries who declined to bestow neither religion nor language to their experiment, and they choose to name it after the fact that people had come United, from various States, to form a new society in this wild american continent.

Hence Ben Franklin's memorable words: "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately".

Paz
Neonovo

ps: There is no peor Agropecuario than he or she who belives the meaning of the word "Americano" is debatable...

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michaelz says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:29:

santibog Perhaps you should read this thread again.

You are not an american.

I presume you are from colombia. That would make you a colombian because you live in the nation state Colombia. You would also be a South American because you live in the continent of South America.

I am an American. That is the universally recognized name for the citizens of the the nation state United States of America. I am also a North American (norteamericano) because I come from the continent of North America, but then so are Canadian and Mexican.

There is no geographic unit "america". America is the colloquial name for the Western Hemisphere.

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Cerealkiller says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:35:

Michael Correct me if I am mistaken. But as far as I am concerned and according to what I remember from my elementary school years, which were not very long ago...there are only 5 continents: Europe, Americas, Africa, Australasia and Antartica....
I am not debating the whole American issue. If I am told someone is American I immediately think s/he's from the States...but South America is not a continent.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:37:

Michaelz, it goers further th Michaelz, it goes further than that. They do not agree that North and South America are separate continents. Personally I think they're just trying to cozy up to us and get in our pants....

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Cerealkiller says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:39:

Ewww Utopia, I wouldnt wanna get in your pants... Okay this is it. I am feeling rather suicidal :P

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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caslug says on Jun 17, 2005, 13:53:

Let's be INCLUSIVE!! Most american(USA) would have NO PROBLEM if other people(Central or Southamerican) want to call yourselves "american". We still would call ourselves american, but if it makes you(COLOMBIANS) want refer to yourselves as "American" instead of Colombian go for it.. I personally wouldn't have a probelm w/ it and i doubt any americans would care.. Of course some fellow Colombians who would argue with you saying they consider themselves COLOMBIAN NOT AMERICANS..

Santibog, i have no problem refer to Americans as "COKESNIFFER" IF ALL american did it..alas coke use in the us is NOT the norm(less than 50%).. So keep thinking of a name that fits all US Citizen.. I still like using sitting pres names.. we(americans) ALL HAVE ONE PRESIDENT, his name is Bush.. So calling us Bushies is OK, we can agree to that..Even if we don't like him, we have to acknowledge he IS the PRES...

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krisk says on Jun 17, 2005, 14:00:

colombian? when you refer to most people you are talking about what country they are from. examples... Enlish, french, japanies, russian, brazilian.....and Colombian. if you notice all of those are all countires not continents. there is no continent of colombia (it would be sweet if there were a whole continent of beautiful colombian chicks). so why is there such a debate over the use of the word american.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 17, 2005, 14:11:

for a topic beaten to death, 50 responses in 4 hours is not bad...
krisk, no, there's no continent called Colombia. Only a country. However, there's one continent, called America, divided in three subcontinents, North, Central and South. I think this is the root of the problem.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 17, 2005, 15:12:

You got it, Desi, that's the heart of the problem. We are taught that North America is a separate continent consisting of Canada, the US and Mexico. We don't even acknowledge South and Central America as part of our continent. Personally I don't know why they would want to be included anyway. Canada and Mexico I am sure would go to Tierra del Fuego if they could.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Crazy Eagle says on Jun 17, 2005, 15:59:

but, there is a little problem... You see, there is the problem that first we have had George Bush I, and then George II ascended to the throne - er, I mean Presidency. So, we need some way of distinguishing between historical reigns.

How about Bushies, and now Bush-lites?

"The natural rhythm of life is routine punctuated by orgy" Aldous Huxley

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Caballista says on Jun 17, 2005, 16:18:

I have a question for the "real and pure blood americans" could you please tell me the name of your tribe? and the region? I love to learn about Natives. I'm for example from the Quimbayas. Colombiana Norteamericana Quimbaya, green eyes, blonde, and I speak Castellano, Paisa, English and Greek.
Thank you, gracias pues hombre!!! LOL

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Gator says on Jun 17, 2005, 16:29:

utopiacowboy, shame... It is generally accepted that South America is one of the seven continents, North America is separate and does include Central America. BUT!!! There is no standard definition for the number of continents. In Europe, many students are taught about six continents, where North and South America is combined to form a single America.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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rjstuff says on Jun 17, 2005, 16:35:

Cerealkiller - Asia is no longer a continent per your statement? You have combined the two american continents to make one - I accept that. But you are ignoring more than half the worlds population by obliterating Asia. If they all became mad and came and pissed on Colombia - it will drown!

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michaelz says on Jun 17, 2005, 16:41:

continents The discrepancy with continents is that the europeans tried to make a continent for themselves, where a continent does not exist. A continent is a large, geographicly separate land mass. A list of continents is:

North America
South America
Africa
Australia
Eurasia

There is no real separation between Europe and Asia. It is one big landmass. Europe is not a separate continent. It is part of one big continent called Eurasia.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jun 17, 2005, 16:43:

More often than not I get corrected by Colombians all the time whenever I try to call myself something besides "American" or "Gringo". Estadounidense doesn't exactly roll off anyones tongue.

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caslug says on Jun 17, 2005, 16:47:

continents... i remmeber learning in geography class(California public education)

N. America
S. America
Asia
Europe
Africa
Austraila
Antartica

Heck, if people around the world, can't even agree on the name "america" then how are they going to agree on number of continents. So far i've not heard anyone recommend a name for US citizens that everyone can agree on(US & foreigners). Until someone can come up with something, americans will cont. calling ourselves americans and some foreigner will bitch. What's new, right? LOL!

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Caballista says on Jun 17, 2005, 16:47:

michaelz Thank you for a great topic, but the arrogance of you people it's the size of the American Continent. And remember that there is only 5 rings in the Olympic's flag, one for each Continent. Not seven.

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ColombianoX says on Jun 17, 2005, 16:54:

"So far i've not heard anyone recommend a name for US citizens that everyone can agree on(US & foreigners)."

caslug,

How about 'Statesmen' (and 'Stateswomen')?


CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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michaelz says on Jun 17, 2005, 16:55:

cabilliata I agree that the traditional definition of the continents is arrogant. That is my point. But it isn't the Americans (norteamericanos) who are arrogant. Look at a map. I is clear that there are about 7 or 8 distinct land masses depending on how you count them. They are:

North America
South America
Australia
Africa
Antartica (if you count it)
Austrailia
Greenland
Eurasia

There is no clear distinction between europe and asia. Europe was tradionally listed as a separte continent purely to make europe seem more important.

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caslug says on Jun 17, 2005, 17:07:

people forget that.. names are given by people.. Heck Mr. Colon thought he landed in India(hence west indies & Indians) do you really think the locals called themselves that? and it was spain that gave many names to S. america (Strait of Magellan)? comon, talk about arrogance, why did he get to name it? It was there long before he came along, i'm sure the natives lived next to it called it something else. The country that has the most influence gets to name things. US was fortunate to have lots of influence in the world therefore got to names things that stick w/ the rest of the world. Is it fair to everyone, maybe not, but who said life was fair.

But if people in S. America have such problem with US monopolizing "american" why not have S. American call themselves "American" too.. Then everyone will be happy. Americans(USA) can cont using that term, while S.American can take ownership of that term too. Most US American wouldn't care, average american hardly ever leave the country, they'll never know. And it is technically correct, just like anyone on earth can call ourselves earthlings!

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Cerealkiller says on Jun 17, 2005, 17:18:

RjStuff nd Michael Id rather have them -Asians- going nuts and getting pissed in Colombia...thatd be hilarious. Youre probably right so ill say there are 6 continents. As for Michael's statement. Europe IS a separate continent (and I stress on that)...And I think your argument is rather weak...if Europe and Asia come together because they belong to one same mass or land then why arent the Americas considered one continent? There is no ocean separating both bits and as far as I know we still have a good couple of thousand years before Central America sinks...

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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caslug says on Jun 17, 2005, 17:18:

COLX.. if "americans" gets to choose another.. name, i vote for something witty/hip/trendy brings a rise out people. Axxhole is good, "hola, soy axxhole de California" or Mr/Ms.BIG(because US have BIG EGOS!), "hola, soy Senor Grande, de california".. Those are cool names.. Statesmen seem so "bland". a name should bring fear to our enemy and awed to our friends..

THen the terrorist instead chanting die american! is lame! Instead shout "die Axxhole!". and we can shout back, "we axxhole, we're going to put a McDonald to corrupt your culture!. Or my favorite ugly AXXHOLE(AMERICAN) saying, "why doesn't anyone here speak AXXHOLE!(AMERICAN/ENGLISH!)..

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 17, 2005, 18:20:

That was a damm funny post. I can hear it now, F*ck off, Axxhole!

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Rubiazo says on Jun 17, 2005, 20:04:

Why so much confusion IN ENGLISH
'United States of America' = American

IN SPANISH
'Estados Unidos de America' = estadounidense

HOWEVER, in countries close to the USA, like Mexico, DR, Cuba, etc. 'Americano' is frequently used, but ONLY IN INFORMAL SETTINGS.
In Spanish language newspapers the world over the word is 'estadounidense'. In English language newspapers (of course) it's AMERICAN.

So when you speak Spanish IN SOUTH AMERICA, you should say 'estadounidense' to avoid confusion. If you can't pronounce it, PRACTISE! And in that case, you probably need to practise saying 'necesitamos' too. That's a common gringo error :)

The word gringo means different things in different languages and different countries, but NEVER carries a racial connotation. It either means an American, a North American, or just a foreigner. In Brazil, people from Colombia are referred to as 'gringoes' as are Australian bushmen, Hottentots, Yoruba-speaking Nigerians coming to Bahia for religious festivals, and the Inuit, as well as good old whitey looking for a Stepford Wife to bring home. In Mexico it's derogatory, AFAIK everywhere else it generally is not. I don't know anywhere in Latin America where black or brown Americans are magically exempt from 'gringo' status simply by not being white!

Oh, and I asked several Colombians and other South Americans both here and in their own countries regarding continents. North and South America are SEPARATE continents. For 'continental' purposes, Central America is really part of North America. I don't know why the confusion. There are SEVEN (7) continents, period.

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Mike TX says on Jun 17, 2005, 21:42:

What The Hell Is Wrong With Texas? "Jay, sorry about that. I know Southerners are the cream of the crop in the US, except Texans."

We get to be Texans, Southerners and Americans, but we do take exception to Yankee. Not that it really matters, but to my Colombian family, I am peloncito.

A weakness for beautiful women is my most expensive vice.

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platano says on Jun 17, 2005, 21:59:

Rubiazo, I really tried to understand your post, the one where you say the word "gringo" NEVER carries a racial connotation. I read it and just couldn't understand it. I got lost, I couldn't understand. I tried, I really did, but I must be really stupid because....

ME QUEDE GRINGO!

Plátano, el banano verde
Oxigeno Verde ¡Libertad por Ingrid y los demás!

plátano

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Rubiazo says on Jun 18, 2005, 00:30:

BTW Colombia's official title is "Los Estados Unidos de Colombia" isnt it?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 18, 2005, 00:35:

no, rubiazo :),
but then again, you were just kidding, weren't you? O sea que te estas haciendo el gringo?
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Caballista says on Jun 18, 2005, 04:57:

From the books: "If you think Education is Expensive, try Ignorance"

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jun 18, 2005, 06:30:

From 1863 to 1885 they were the United States of Colombia. But they´ve been the Republic of Colombia for a long time now.

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michaelz says on Jun 18, 2005, 07:06:

rubiazo That was the first time I encountered the word "estadounidense", but that is not surprising, as my spanish is limited at best. My Spanish/English dictionay states:

estadounidense - 1. American 2. of or part of the United States of America.

americano - 1. american 2. Latin-American

However, if you look up american on the english side of the dictionary, it only mentions "americano". "Estadounidense" is nowhere to be found.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 18, 2005, 08:06:

origins "The first, original, true Americans were not European settlers. They were indigenous natives." (mario)

And they came originally from Asia crossing the ice bridge on Bering Straight about 30-45 000 years ago...

The first child of European origin born in American continent spoke Spanish. (St. Augustine, Fla)

Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Colombiche says on Jun 18, 2005, 08:08:

Wait a Minute! Why are Mexicans monopolizing the term "BEANER"? All of us Latinos eat just as much beans. Heck, I think my Paisa people eat more beans than anybody else out there. When I eat a bandeja paisa, I go straight for the beans, then when I am done with the beans, I start working on the chicharron and then I go for the huevo frito.

I think my mother started feeding me "frijoles licuados" when I was but a few months old. Then when I grew my first tooth, she realized I was ready to being my life long career as a bean chewer so she started feeding me sopa de frijoles with the whole beans in it. We are so accustomed to beans that we suffer none of the unpleasant side effects that gringos experience when digesting those babies.

Not a week goes by in my life when I do not eat my "frijolesss con arepa puess mija".

I hereby demand that Mexicans stop monopolizing the term "BEANER", and we begin sharing this term among all Latino nationalities. I propose we use the term beaner along with a number (i.e Beaner1, Beaner2) Beaner1 being Mexicans, Beaner2 being Colombians, Beaner3 being Guatemalans...etc, etc (although I still think Colombians should be beaner1 and Mexicans Beaner2, but what the hell, it is just a number, I guess Mexicans have more seniority in the "being called a beaner department).

Thanks to all my UnitedStatesian brothers and sisters for heeding my call.

COLOMBICHE (Certified Beaner from the University of Frijolandia).

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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Rubiazo says on Jun 18, 2005, 09:33:

Dominicans eat the most beans out of all the Latinos. Hands down. Those guys eat a MASSIVE plate of arroz con habichuelas rojas 4x a day, without fail. I know people who have probably never sat down and eaten a meal in their lives that didnt have those two staples. If i ate like that I'd be 500 lbs!

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COLDK says on Jun 18, 2005, 10:50:

alternative words for american http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_words_for_American

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Jun 18, 2005, 12:15:

thanx for the link, COLDK it was very informative.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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krisk says on Jun 18, 2005, 12:36:

the list we the american people have went over the list and after careful consideration we have unanimously voted on the name columbians.

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adrimm says on Jun 18, 2005, 14:48:

"Americans" Personally I think that the reason why citizens of the US are called americans is because United States cannot be made into an elegant descritor. Ie. Canada = Canadians , Mexico = Mexicans, United States (of America) = United Statians?

Canadians and Mexicans go along with it becuase it gets rammed down our throats. People living elsewhere have it less rammed down their throats. Growing up I was made to understand that the americas are the "new world", so hence it follows logically that people of the new world may be called "americans". EXCEPT the US has no tidy way of identifiying it's people so they usurped the word and have held on to it.

People who interact more with folks from the US eventually realise what the term applies to, but those that don't (ie with language barrier) tend to apply the term broadly. Travelling in small town Italy, Spain, & Portugal I was sometimes asked if I was American. I always responded no, Canadian, but most people would just shrug and go "Americas, American." Whereas in the cities, the distinction was accepted.

In Spain I was also shunned for being an americana (and it was painfully clear that it was becuase of my south-american heritage.

So I think that only residents of the US can be clear and comfortable calling themselves American and referring exclusively to the US. The distinction gets blurry elsewhere in the world.

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 18, 2005, 14:59:

So you're saying everyone in Mexico and Canada is playing the Linda Lovelace part in Deep Throat? Wow.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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michaelz says on Jun 18, 2005, 17:26:

country names When a new country is formed, the people in the country get to choose their name. They even get to change it if they want. Example: what used to be Burma is now Myanmar. The burmese are now myanmarese. The important point is, the country chooses its name, and it chooses how its people will be called. Other countries do not have a veto.

Colombians choose the name Colombia for their country, and the name colombian for their people. Having done that, we Americans have no right to say: "I don't like the name colombia, because columbus discovered our country too. Therefore, you are not colombians. You are Andeans. We will call you Andeans, whether you like it or not."

How about a new question. Are they "illegal aliens" or are they "undocumented workers"?

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kernow62 says on Jun 18, 2005, 17:56:

I was taking a crap and had a sudden moment of inspiration as one is wont to do whilst having a Barry. I have hit upon the obvious and I hope soon to be adopted name for the good people of the USA. RICANS

As you perhaps know Puerto Ricans are US by birthright and they are often called Ricans, as they will soon make up the other half of the populace they wouldn't have to alter a thing. Ricans is also part of the word Americans. Logic would dictate that this is the only fair name for both those born in the 50 US states, but also those born in Puerto Rico.

Henceforth I shall call you Ricans.

morphus says on Jun 18, 2005, 20:59:

Puerto Ricans that grew up in the U.S. are sometimes called gringo by Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico.

in Cuba they don't use gringo. they call anyone from another country "yuma". whatever the hell that is...lol.

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Caballista says on Jun 18, 2005, 22:01:

michaelz ....andes lo que andes...ándáte por los Andes.... tra la la, andes lo que andes, ándate por los Andes (Bis)

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Sylvie says on Jun 19, 2005, 14:22:

Slang Name for Canadians I've never heard of slang name for anglo Canadians.

I know french canadians are often called peppers, frogs (like the frnech), and french septic.

Any Americans, or South Americans willing to inform me of what angli canadians are called behind their backs? :-P

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adrimm says on Jun 19, 2005, 14:32:

Tête Carrée That is what some Quebecois call anglo-Canadians. So it's not Spanish, but it is one slang name (with derogatory nuances).

The other is Canuck, but unless one is reffering to the hockey team it doesn't seem to have much derogatory nuance.

Why the "behind the back?" Most latin americans I know don't flinch at calling someone they percieve to be a gringo, "gringo" to their face. And I've heard brits refer to americans as "Yanks" in conversation with americans.

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kernow62 says on Jun 19, 2005, 14:50:

We only mean Yanks in the nicest of ways. :-) It is when we add the qualifier "bloody" that it takes on new meanings.

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kernow62 says on Jun 19, 2005, 14:55:

We love Yanks so much we had a skit on The Big Breakfast called Fat Yanks I think, well if wasn't called that it was the general theme. Two hosts dressed up in fat suits and wore Yank tourist garb and asked silly questions to the guests in an awful American accent. Lots of references to cheeseburgers and supersize cokes and donuts.

Of course each time I return to the UK I see the people are getting supersized like the Yanks, so the Yanks are having the last laugh.

By the way anyone else watch Spanish language TV for the breakfast shows? They are much more lively than ABC, NBC & CBS, kind of remind me of The Big Breakfast.

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Rubiazo says on Jun 19, 2005, 18:09:

In quebec they call the anglos and allophones 'bons canadiens'. :P And its about the worst insult you can give someone!!

Just who is it in Colombia that gets to wear the 'gringo' label anyways? If visiting europeans aren't 'gringoes' what are they? How about visiting Puerto Ricans? They speak more gringo in PR now than they do in NYC or Miami!

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 19, 2005, 18:14:

A Mexican would never call an American a gringo to his/her face unless he wanted to be rude. We used to call the French Pepsis back in Quebec because of their alleged fondness for that beverage. We also used to call them gorfs (frog spelled backwards). Wherever language or religion or race differ, people always use it as an opportunity to malign the others who aren't like them. Pretty much like this site.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Colombiche says on Jun 19, 2005, 19:43:

The term for Anglo Canadians Is Mungie Cakes or just "Cakers" for short. That is the most common term that non anglo or immigrant descent Canadians use to refer to Canadians of Anglo descent who have been in this land for several generations. That is a racial slurr though.

Sometimes I hear people use the word WASP too, but I think that is originally from the States and it is not that common here in Canada.

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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Rubiazo says on Jun 19, 2005, 19:55:

We used WASP a lot in Canada. Maybt it's too freaking politically correct for that now and you have to call them 'melanin-challenged' or something.
I have heard 'cakes' used to refer to Italians in Toronto a lot too. I guess that was me back then :P

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adrimm says on Jun 19, 2005, 20:14:

WASP That only works in some communities these days. 80 yrs ago you could use it in alot more places. Doesn't really work as well for people who aren't from the British Isles.

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N2Aquatix says on Jun 20, 2005, 08:05:

Brain-washing I think part of the problem is that we all grow up here in the states singing America The Beautiful, reciting The Pledge Of Allegiance, and learning about The Constitution Of The United States Of America. Maybe it's all a bunch of brain-washing or something, but Colombians on this particular website are the only people I have ever heard engage in this argument. My fiancee is Colombian and she has no concept of this argument at all. She considers it infantile, and recognizes that Americano definitely refers to her gringo cracker white-boy novio from the USA. I've never heard her use the term gringo not even one time. This would indicate that while some hispanic people don't think it is insulting, she most assuredly does.

Jay

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caslug says on Jun 20, 2005, 14:04:

This thread is still alive?.. I chatted w/ a college age amiga from Medellin. I asked her what her and her friends would call a person from USA. She immediately reply "gringo", I asked for a name that SIGNIFY USA ONLY(Gringo can mean CAD), she reply "Americano".

PS. i wanted to make the 100th post!!

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Sylvie says on Jun 20, 2005, 21:00:

I wonder why I've never been called any of these Canadian slang terms. Perhaps it is because I'm a bilingual Quebecoise.

I should really get out more often.

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lpdiver says on Jun 21, 2005, 06:24:

The call me Blanco, gordo hijo puta. Works for me. Just as long as I get laid and fed regularly...who cares?

H.P.

"cook some rice!"

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adrimm says on Jun 21, 2005, 23:21:

Sylvie Lucky you!

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Sylvie says on Jun 22, 2005, 09:08:

I have another one My immigrant italian-canadian family calls the pure bread anglo canadaians "Mange Cake" or "mungy cake"

Never really understood what and looked it up. Here is what I got. It's pretty funny.

Caker — is short for "Mange Cake" (pronounced manja cake, Italian for "cake-eater") and refers to Canadians of Anglo origin. It is said that the term originated in Italian-Canadian kitchens as a type of gentle mockery of Anglophone Canada's bland cultural and culinary habits.

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KingRoLo says on Jun 22, 2005, 15:16:

I was told from a local in El Salvador it was because the American Invaders / William Walker wore Green, and thus the Locals said Green Go home, hence Gringo.

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Sylvie says on Jun 22, 2005, 18:34:

Origin of the Word Gringo There are many stories of how the word "Gringo" came about. I just looked it up and found this interesting article. I will only post the interesting part.

The word "gringo" was mentioned in Spanish literature as early as the eighteenth century. In his famous Diccionario, compiled prior to 1750, Terreros y Pando, a Spanish historian notes that "gringo" was a nickname given to foreigners in Malaga and Madrid who spoke Spanish with an accent. Maybe it sounded like gibberish.

One story says the word "gringo" was derived from the song, "Green Grow the Rushes, O" by Scottish poet Robert Burns, as it was sung by English sailors in Mexican seaports. This is a crock of abono, and not supported by any real evidence.

Charles E. Ronan S.J., of the Department of History of Loyola University of Chicago, discredits that alleged origin in his article, "Arizona and the West." He gives many examples of the use of "gringo," but does not support any known theories of origin.

An example of "gringo's" early use is in Bustamante's 1841 edition of Francisco Javier Alegre's Historia de la Companis de Jesús en la Nueva España, in which he explains that the Spanish soldiers sent to Mexico in 1767 by Charles III were called "gringos" by the Mexican people. Fine, but that doesn't tell us why.

Apparently, however, during the late 1760's and the early 1830's, the word was not even used, since no mention of it during that period has been found. Perhaps the gringos had left Mexico, and there wasn't any reason to use the word.

Skipping right along to the 1830s, there are numerous references to the word "gringo" in the New World travel accounts, in dictionaries, and in Spanish-American literature. For example, two early 19th century travelers, the German Johan Jakob von Tschudi and the Frenchman Arseve Isabelle, both testify to the use of the word. In his travels in Peru during the years 1838-1842, Tschudi recounts how Peruvian women "prefer marrying a gringo to a paisanito."

In his diaries, Isabelle complains about insulting names that travelers were called, such as "gringo." As for dictionaries, Diccionario (1846) of Vicente Salva y Perez, list "gringo" as a nickname given a foreigner who speaks an unintelligible language. This doubtless refers to people from the land of Gibber.

The word is not incorporated into Diccionario de la Real Academia until the 1869 edition. In Spanish literature, "gringo" appears in Manuel Breton de los Herreros' "Elena," a drama presented for the first time in Madrid in 1834. ¿Que es eso? ¿Contais en gringo? (What is this? / Are you using gringo language?)

According to one opinion, "gringo" is a corrected form of griego as used in the ancient Spanish expression hablar en griego, that is, to speak an unintelligible language or "to speak Greek." There's that gibberish thing again.

Evident from all of this is that "gringo" was used long ago before any English-speaking cavalry soldiers were riding near the Mexican border, as has been suggested in yet other opinions.

Like the committee which set out to design a horse and ended up with a camel, the more people involved in theorizing the origin of "gringo," the more opinions. I am prepared to add mine as follows:

Where did "gringo" come from? If any of you readers are familiar with the paintings of scowling foreigners who hung out in Mexico a couple of hundred years ago, the gentle Mexican people probably took one look, decided the strangers should smile and depart, and cautioned them to "Grin. Go."

http://www.texasescapes.com/MaggieVanOstrand/WhereDidTheWordGringoComeFromAnyway903.htm

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Melita says on Jun 26, 2005, 00:18:

Soy Republicana Colombiense? So, isn't this this just an issue of name sake? Amerigo Vespucci or Cristobal Colon? So what! Maybe we're all Americans and thus all Colombians too. Don't most of us prefer the shortened country names over the slang/racist terms or lengthy formal versions out there? What about the problem of Iberoamerica, America Latina, Sudamerica, Hispaniola?

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