Why do gringos keep referring to their country as America?

bramafear says on Feb 6, 2005, 08:01:

It's a Social Class Thing I' When can we pack our bags?

When can we pack our bags?

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bramafear says on Feb 6, 2005, 08:02:

It's a Social Class Thing I'm Sure... I believe we call it the "Americas"? I wish we all behaved like "Americans", but we are just learning Spanish here for the last 10 years ... :-)

When can we pack our bags?

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Gary Hall says on Feb 6, 2005, 08:17:

meteoro If you will go to ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ The_Americas, it will answer all your questions and reasons for.
People who live in the Americas are sometimes referred to as being American, although the word AMERICA is used much more commonly in English to refer to a citizen of the United States of America. The spanish language uses norteamericano or estadounidense.
Hope this helps.

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jack73534 says on Feb 6, 2005, 08:39:

Indians in U.S. Indians In the U.S. or refered to being Native Americans

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SiempreHero says on Feb 6, 2005, 09:11:

oh boy Indio nunca Cana,

Indio comido, Indio Ido

why do we make dichos at the expense of the native people of AMERICA?

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Crazy4Cali says on Feb 6, 2005, 09:18:

Name changes? You mean like "Peking" (Bejing), "Cologne" (Koln), "Rome" (Roma), "Florence" (Firenza), just to name a few...

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ColombianoX says on Feb 6, 2005, 11:29:

" I am an Amrican. Why do they change the name of our country? It is the USA not the EEU?"


GIB


The answer is quite simple. USA gets translated because "United States" it is not a proper name (like Colombia, England, or Mexico, etc.), it is two words! "United" is the adjective and "States" is the noun. Now the "of America" tell us that this nation is located in the American continent (the New World, Western Hemisphere).


Once again, the "New" in New York is translated to "Nueva" York because "new" is a word, not a name.


CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Gary Hall says on Feb 6, 2005, 11:58:

Is this fun yet? Here we are in the middle of analytical analogies of sterotypical mumbo jumbo.

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Crazy4Cali says on Feb 6, 2005, 13:59:

what's in a name While American English may not have altered any Latin American names (I couldn't think of any off the top of my head either, perhaps Havana which is pronounced "La Habana" in Spanish), they have altered their share of names in other languages so I don't see much in the way of "moral high-ground" around for the taking.

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Gary Hall says on Feb 6, 2005, 14:04:

meteoro how did How did the name Gringo come about and what exactly is the meaning of Gringo? Does it mean that we all have a grin and always on the go?

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ColombianoX says on Feb 6, 2005, 14:21:

Gary,

You got the 'Go' part almost right. From what I understand, the term "gringo" was born during the mexican-american war. The mexicans would shout to the US soldiers, who dressed in green garb, "Green, Go", as in go away! The term stuck and somehow extended throughout the rest of latin america.

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Feb 6, 2005, 14:26:

FYI http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/2793

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ACBlessing says on Feb 6, 2005, 15:06:

Correction Actually the new in New York and united in United States are not adjectives in a phrase in this case. They are proper nouns; a complete name just as Colombia is. The idea of us (in the U.S.) being Americans wasn't really our choosing. Since the official name of our country is The United States of America, Europeans, especially during the nineteenth century found it easier to just call us Americans and the name stuck. We didn't ask for it, it doesn't bother us and there's no conspiracy of superiority on our part.

Alex Blessing, Spokane, WA USA
alex at acblessing.com
www.acblessing.com

Just plain poor

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Cerealkiller says on Feb 6, 2005, 15:19:

Gringo's origin Yeah thats funny as hell. I get the gringo nickname all the time and all I can say is "I am not American for goodness' sake!" I knew how the word gringo came about but how the heck did we -Europeans-got involved???!!!!
Sorry I needed to vent...Change the names of every single city...It isnt Munich its München, It isnt Londres its London, It isnt Edimburgo its Edimburgh and you dont pronounce it as you would in Pittsburgh its something like Edimburra. But why calling us gringo? It just doesnt make any sense in my head!!!

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

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bhill says on Feb 6, 2005, 16:02:

Re: Why do gringos keep referring to their country as America?
Good god you must be sooo bored to choose this particular issue
as the important issue, the line not to be crossed, the stake in
the ground, NONE SHALL PASS, the "you hurt my feelings and I'm
still pissed!" issue. But whatever floats your boat.

I would tell people I was from the United States, but who knows,
perhaps the would confuse me for a citizen of the United Mexican
States. And saying "United States of America" all the time is just
a pain in the ass. Doesn't flow. Verobose verbosity.

-B

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Gary Hall says on Feb 6, 2005, 16:36:

bhill Here in Texas we call the United States Of America, The united empire of Texas. Just food for thought. :)

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meteoro says on Feb 6, 2005, 16:44:

I don't understand why the gringos make such a big deal about the being called gringo.

As far as I know, it's just a word that means a person is from the USA. Unless it's followed by a strong adjective (such as hp, mar^%a, gue*%n), it has no intended insult. Why do we use it? Let's see, 'Americano' is technically incorrect, 'estadounidense' is way too long, 'norteamericano' is not specific enough. What's left? GRINGO

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babygirl says on Feb 6, 2005, 17:43:

I heard that the soldiers were marching and singing that song "green grow the rushes... blah blah" (something like that) cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

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babygirl says on Feb 6, 2005, 17:47:

Ok so maybe someone will finally answer my question then is Gringo/Gringa the equivalent of a racial slur?

cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

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tiopipe says on Feb 6, 2005, 18:58:

Here is the REAL answer Americans are called americans because it is the only country in theworld with the word "America" in its official name. Just like the the people from the Republica de Colombia are called Colombians in English, people from the USA (United States of Ameria) are called Americans in English, and yes you all are right we live together on the continent of America....remember New York, New York is a city and a state...

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Lionheart says on Feb 6, 2005, 19:08:

a gringo is a gringo is a gringo like it or not, US Americans are gringos and gringas ... no matter how much we like it or not ... and it is normally not meant bad either, but it depends on the context as usual.

Sometimes other whities are gringos too, sometimes .. Canadians, Europeans etc.

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babygirl says on Feb 6, 2005, 19:25:

Well it's better than being called a honky..hahahaa. Sorry, couldn't resist. I didn't hear Gringo/Gringa when I was there (in Colombia) though, I only hear it on this site and in the movies.

AND...I still identify being "American" with USA. Canada, the States and Mexico are all so different you can't group us together as North Americans, just like you can't really group South Americans. I would never say that Colombians & Brazilians are the same. Europeans as well..I think Portugal and Austria are very different...Being "Asian" is a prime example of this too!

cheers - babygirl

cheers - babygirl

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ColombianoX says on Feb 6, 2005, 19:32:

"I have been called names on the street down here simply for being a gringo that you would never be called in the states for being latin"


GringoinBogota,

Are you kidding? If I had a dollar for every time someone's called me a 'spic' or worse here in the US, I could easily buy a plane ticket back to Colombia!


CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Gomezman5 says on Feb 6, 2005, 19:38:

ColX You live in the Miami area, and you are telling me that people refer to you as a spic down there??? That I will never believe. If you lived in Billings, Montana or Decatur, Illinois, I would believe that.
Nobody ever even says that in Chicago.

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ColombianoX says on Feb 6, 2005, 19:55:

I don't live in Miami, but I sure wish I did! If my move to Colombia doesn't work out, Miami is where I'll live without a doubt. I actually live about an hour north of Miami, where there is now actually a fat-growing latin community. But there were almost no latinos at allw hen I was growing up, in the late 80's/ early 90's and believe me, it sure wasn't easy growing up in place where you were almost always the only hispanic kid in the class!

Saludes,

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Albatross says on Feb 7, 2005, 04:24:

Corrections... A) As AC said it's "New York" not "Nueva York", Col X needs to get a clue.

B) It's "La Habana" not "Havana"...

C) Is it too late to give Texas back to Mexico ?

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

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santiBOG says on Feb 7, 2005, 04:30:

Albatross Sorry, but I am not sure that the Mexicans want Texas back.

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santiBOG says on Feb 7, 2005, 04:33:

ColX I am surprised by your statement. I have never been called a racial slur in the U.S.
Where is it that you live exactly? Ft. Laud? Pompano?

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Thededalus says on Feb 7, 2005, 05:05:

... This has long been a pet-peeve of mine.

If we can't call ourselves an American, what should we use? United-Statesian? Gringo? US citizen? No thanks.

And despite what people say here, I consider Gringo to be slightly derogatory. Once at customs in Bogota, the agent asked if I was 'norteamericano' and I said, "Si, gringo." His face said it all. It was a mix between embarrassment and amusement. Plus, anytime somebody wants to say something anti-American (which, as we know, is pretty frequent), they certainly use "gringo" and nothing else, except maybe "yanki" for a little flavor. On my last trip to Bogota, the following graffiti was particularly amusing: "gringos asesinos." I even have a picture of it.

Don't get me wrong, I use it myself b/c 'norteamericano' isn't specific enough, 'estadounidense' sounds lame and nobody ever uses it, and 'americano' too often triggers the inferiority complex that started this thread.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Feb 7, 2005, 06:30:

You can call us locombians. hehehe
and why your nick is GRINGOinbogota? if you don't like to be call gringo that much.

engage brain before opening mouth

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Feb 7, 2005, 07:11:

GIB
To tell you the truth I never called gringo to any american cos I know some of them don't like. but saying that I never think of the word as a racial slur. but you using your nick gringo it gives me the idea that you are not bothered at all about the word.For me racial slur would be calling "paki" to a pakistani cos I know the get very offended by this, and they will never use it no even as a nickname.

engage brain before opening mouth

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paisa29 says on Feb 7, 2005, 07:22:

there is only a continent called AMERICA, so I consider myself american also because I live in South America.

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Gomezman5 says on Feb 7, 2005, 07:37:

Colx You had made reference to the fact that you lived in the Miami area.
Very few people, (unless you are cuban) actually live in Miami. My family had a condo in Miami Beach for 27 years, so I know the area well. Today there are many more Lationos living in both Broward and Palm Beach counties.

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ColombianoX says on Feb 7, 2005, 08:41:

"Today there are many more Lationos living in both Broward and Palm Beach counties"

Today, yes! But not about fifteen years ago. When I've referred to the Miami area, it's because I like to hang out there, but I don't live there.


CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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N2Aquatix says on Feb 7, 2005, 09:20:

Ignorance It's simply ignorance from what I can tell. I refer to my country as the USA, but then again I have known many people from Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico, El Salvador, and Colombia, so I learned a long time ago not to refer to the USA as America. ;-)

Jay

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 7, 2005, 09:27:

Yet another stupid thread that had nothing to do with Colombia. There should be a rule that if you start a thread that has nothing to do with Colombia it gets deleted. Then people wonder why I think the site is stupid.

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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Crazy4Cali says on Feb 7, 2005, 09:37:

Let's See: Long form: United States of America
Short form: America
Citizens: American
Español: Estadounidense

Estados Unidos Mexicanos (United States of Mexico)
Mexico
Mexican
Mexicano

Republic of Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rican
Costaricense

Republic of Colombia
Colombia
Colombian
Colombiano

Republic of Chile
Chile
Chilean
Chileno

it would seem to me that to be consistent with all the other countries on this side of the planet citizens of the USA (EEUU) should be called Americanos (as they are in many contexts) or Americans.

So...aren't there more critical issues to discuss?

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N2Aquatix says on Feb 7, 2005, 09:39:

Duhhh LOL!!! I have to agree with Crazy. For such a hot thread this topic is about as irrelevant as a bug on the windshield.

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Lionheart says on Feb 7, 2005, 14:17:

Crazy4Cali wins the Post of the Day Prize no further comment needed (as programmer I love simple logic)

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ColombianoX says on Feb 7, 2005, 18:15:

This is what I found in Encarta:

-------------------------------------------------------------------

A·mer·i·ca [ ə mérrikə ]

1. See United States

2. N, S, and Central America: a landmass comprising North America, South America, and Central America

3. N. America: North America (informal)
[Early 16th century. From Americus , Latinized form of the first name of Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512), Italian navigator.]

Word Usage

Sensitivity issue:


The use of America to mean the United States may cause offense to people from Canada and Mexico, and should be avoided.

------------------------------------------------------------


They forgot to add that it also may cause offense to every other country in AMERICA south of Mexico.


CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Lionheart says on Feb 7, 2005, 18:29:

sheesh CoX lives in the USA, that makes him an American. At least according to his passport, if he visits Europe he would be called an American and not a Colombian.

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ColombianoX says on Feb 7, 2005, 18:30:

We're not trying to strip the US of anything, take it easy, amigo. Yes, I am an american, all colombians are, as well as all the inhabitants of this great hemisphere, from Canada to Chile.


CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Gary Hall says on Feb 7, 2005, 18:36:

UC I want to apologize to you for my remark earlier in another post about this site being stupid. After reading this post I understand but still think it is overall good. It has people like you on it.

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ColombianoX says on Feb 7, 2005, 19:16:

" We are not all American we are Canadian or Mexican and whatever else your country is."

GIB

I'm not picking on the US. Of course "Americans can call themselves American", it just bothers me that you refuse to accept that all the inhabitants of the western hemisphere are also technically americans! We latin americans define "american" as anyone from any of the countries that make up the AMERICAN (south and north) continent. Why don't you ask your friends in Colombia about this and see what they'll tell you.


CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Feb 7, 2005, 19:18:

Articles of Capitulation, Yorktown Remember Cornwallis from elementary school? Well, in the text of this document from 1781, there are references to the United States, of course, but also to AMERICA and AMERICAN troops.



I also saw the word America and American a time or two while scanning the Treaty with Great Britian of 1783.



Those are my new comments on this subject. When it came up before, I said every U.S. President uses the term American, as do European heads of state, European newspapers and probably many other institutions around the world.



If people honestly get upset about this, they should probably learn to accept it. Or blame the British. ;-)

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Gomezman5 says on Feb 7, 2005, 20:26:

Crazy for Cali has it right "So...aren't there more critical issues to discuss?"

I think if you look at how the thread was started, I was given the impression that the author of this thread disapproves of United States Citizens calling themselves "Americans".

Well he has a lot of support at every border. When I was crossing the border from Ciudad Juarez Mex. to El Paso, Texas (on foot) I announced: "I am an American Citizen." (You don't need a US passoport to travel to Mexico, and you don't need proof of citizenship to return here either). Anyway, the immigration official said: "You are a
what citizen?" I was as puzzled as could be. Imagine me, a big time Chicago lawyer was stunned, speechless ( a very hard thing for me)and did not have a clue as to how to respond. Finally he said: "What country are you a citizen from?" I said the US. He said "than you are what kind of citizen?" I said, "I am a United States citizen." He said "Good--American is a big place, you have to say you are a United states Citizen."

So, the immigration officials agree with the author of this discussion.If you are a US citizen, you better state as such

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Gomezman5 says on Feb 7, 2005, 20:33:

One more thing..... Get ready Kernow...I know you love it when do this but, not only do I think that GIB is almost always right, but he happens to be one of the most comical people on this site. He cracks me up with his "in your face" style. And when he and ColX go at it, to me, you can't buy a better show than that.

Colx and GIB......thank you so much for your the entertainment.
You guys could sell this routine somehow.

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meteoro says on Feb 7, 2005, 20:45:

aren't there more critical issues to discuss? "aren't there more critical issues to discuss?"

I am the author of this this thread and must take offense to that remark. Hey, if you people don't think it's important then don't participate in it. I, for one, think that many threads in this site are really stupid - I skip those.

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meteoro says on Feb 7, 2005, 20:50:

to the gib "If you want to change the name of a great people you are going to have to do better than whinning and crying."

I haven't been in this site for too long but it seems to me that the one that's always whinning and crying is you gib.

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Gomezman5 says on Feb 7, 2005, 20:57:

Hey meteroro--chill If you will note, I have it in quotes. I took the quote from some one else on the first page and that was about 20 postings ago. So what more do you think is going to be derived at this point. Oddly enough, it was ME sir that added the ONLY post that said the US immigration officials tended to agree with your inference that Americans should not refer to themselves as Americans but as United States Citizens. You might want to reread my post above..

So there!

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meteoro says on Feb 7, 2005, 21:03:

I think this is an issue that we will never agree on. Thanks to everyone for their participation in this thread. The reality is that the country is called US of America and there is no other way in English for the gringos to describe a person from the USA (as there is in Spanish, estadinense). So they have to use the word. There's no way around it.

On the other hand, we are taught in school that America is a huge continent that includes many nations and we therefore feel the term American is not really a nationality.

I guess back in the 18th century all the good country names were taken so they had no choice but to choose a generic.

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Lionheart says on Feb 7, 2005, 21:07:

62 posts should be enough I recall another thread with same result, namely none. It is a moot discussion that just shows how the terminology in different countries evolves. Nobody here can change the world and how certain things are called.

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meteoro says on Feb 7, 2005, 21:09:

Gomezman I know you took the quote from another post. I didn't mean it so seriously.

I haven't read a lot here in pbh but I want to say that I find your reasoning coherent and your posts well articulated. It shows that you're a lawyer.

Peace and here's to healthy, civilized discussions!

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ColombianoX says on Feb 7, 2005, 21:19:

"I guess back in the 18th century all the good country names were taken so they had no choice but to choose a generic."

I once heard in school that the US originally wanted to use the name "Columbia" (probably with the "u") but it was already taken (by us). Has anyone else here ever heard about this?

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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Gomezman5 says on Feb 7, 2005, 21:29:

Thank you Meteoro !!! That was ........ One of the nicest things that anyone ever said to me here.

I really appreciate the complement. I can use all the complements I can get here because I take a hell of a lot of heat sometimes. Now some of these guys are taking at shots at me over my spelling...which is really my typing. I can't seem to get used to this laptop keyboard, especially since my "h" key just fell off, and I have to stick my finger in the space where the h key is..

ok no jokes

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ColombianoX says on Feb 7, 2005, 21:32:

Read this very interesting essay:

http://muweb.millersville.edu/~columbus/data/art/WESTKLN1.ART


CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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kernow62 says on Feb 7, 2005, 21:40:

Gomezman I know you are anxiously awaiting me to chime in, but this topic is something that has been beaten to death already. I could care less if people in the US call themselves American. I like the term Gringonads myself, but so far the term hasn't caught on.

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Gomezman5 says on Feb 7, 2005, 21:46:

I knew it...I knew it...you even stole MY WORD I knew you were going to chime in. That was exactly the world I was thinking of. Chime in......You could not possible pass up the chance to jump in.

Don't you ever sleep? You are in the UK? It's only 7 in the morning there (almost). I'm just getting ready to go to sleep here.

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Miguel says on Feb 7, 2005, 23:04:

Uy Glad I did not waste any time reading this crap while I was in Colombia...
For what it's worth, being called a gringo strictly depends on the context and many Colombians call persons from the US "americanos". I hope this is the last post on this thread. It is more fun to watch paint dry than to weed through this nitpicking.

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william_andrew_channell says on Feb 8, 2005, 06:28:

Don't you know?!?!? Remember what Los Prisioneros told us:

LATINOAMERICA ES UN PUEBLO AL SUR DE ESTADOS UNIDOS

Para turistas, gente curiosa
es un sitio exotico para visitar
Es solo un lugar económico
pero inadecuado para habitar
Les ofrecen Latinoamérica
el Carnaval de Rio y las ruinas Aztecas
gente sucia vagando en las calles
dispuesta a venderse por algunos USA dolars
Nadie en el resto del planeta toma enserio
a este inmenso pueblo lleno de tristeza
Se sonrien cuando ven que tiene veintitantas banderitas
cada cual mas orgullosa de su soberania
que tonteria
dividir es debilidad

Las potencias son los protectores
que prueban sus armas en nuestras guerrillas
ya sean rojos o rallados
a la hora del final no hay diferencia
invitan a nuestros lideres
a vender su alma al diablo verde
inventan bonitas siglas
para que se sientan un poco mas importantes
Y el inocente pueblo de latinoamerica
llorara si muere Ronald Reagan o la reina
y le sigue paso a paso la vida a Carolina
como si esa gente sufriera del subdesarrollo
Estamos en un hoyo
Parece que en realidad

Latinoamerica es un pueblo al sur de Estados Unidos
Latinoamerica es un pueblo al sur de Estados Unidos
Latinoamerica es un pueblo al sur de Estados Unidos
Latinoamerica es un pueblo al sur de Estados Unidos

Para que se sientan en familia
copiamos sus marcas y su estilo de vida
We try to talk in the jet set language
para que no nos crean incivilizados
Cuando visitamos sus ciudades
nos fichan y tratan como a delincuentes
Rusos, Ingleses, Gringos, Franceses
se rien de nuestros novelescos directores
Somos un pueblito tan simpatico que todos
nos ayudan si se trata de un conflicto armar
Pero esa misma cantidad de oro la podrian dar
para encontrar la solucion definitiva al hambre
Latinoamerica es grande
debe aprender a decidir

Latinoamerica es un pueblo al sur de Estados Unidos
Latinoamerica es un pueblo al sur de Estados Unidos
Latinoamerica es un pueblo al sur de Estados Unidos
Latinoamerica es un pueblo al sur de Estados Unidos
Latinoamerica es un pueblo al sur de Estados Unidos

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N2Aquatix says on Feb 8, 2005, 06:41:

Pathetic Blah Blah Blah. Isn't this pathetic discussion over yet? I've never in my life seen so many people so passionately concerned with such a totally irrelevant subject. When I was in Barranquilla they all called me El Americano, so go figure it out for yourself. I could care less if they called me honkey, white boy, cracker, white bread, chalky, casper, or hey at sshole! ;)

Jay

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ShazCas says on Feb 8, 2005, 12:01:

Ok a funny story Well, I've gotten to the end of this and would like to celebrate with a funny story. Many Europeans in Colombia hate being called gringos even more than, erm, people from the US (is that ok for you all?!)

My Irish friend who had strawberry-blonde hair, big green eyes, and big red cheeks with freckles lived in Bogota and could NEVER fit in as Colombian, used to get bothered so much on the street it was driving her mad! She was very pretty too and insisted on wearing lycra tights with oranges and appes, polka dots or stripes on them, with a miniskirt, which didn't help.

One day a group of little boys were pestering her, "Gringa gringa, una monedita, una monedita, gringa gringa...." ON and on... Finally she snapped "I'm not a gringa!" And the boys shouted back "So what are you then, a costeña?!" and fell about howling with laughter. I thought it was hilarious too, and she eventually saw the funny side!

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ARMacleod says on Feb 8, 2005, 14:41:

America? Guys. Ease off, its just a name. There are only a couple of butheads on this forum with a problem, don't add to it.

I really do not think that the common usage of the name 'America' to indicate the United States should be enough to constitute a major insult to anyone, it is just shorter, that's all. Some Americans, or, what would you have me call them, say the US. other just say The States. What is the problem?

Ask the average Scot or Welshman what he thinks of the term 'The United Kingdom' the only thing that unites them is the fact that the land masses are stuck together. The average Scot would love to see England sink without trace, ditto the Welsh, and the Irish. In fact I have the feeling that I am the only one that loves all these countries. Buggered if I know why though.

Being of unsound mind and dubious disposition, I cannot be held legally liable for any indiscretions."¡El diablo me hizo hacerlo!" But don't worry, be happy.

The brain is like a parachute, it only functions correctly when it is open. Pax vobiscum.

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Albatross says on Feb 8, 2005, 14:53:

Why ? Because America is our God-given name... and we're gonna keep it !

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

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lpdiver says on Feb 9, 2005, 05:56:

Because WE can...Why do Colombians refer to Santa fe de Bogota as Bogota?
Hmmmmmm. Laziness in both cases or expediencey if you prefer to be polite.

Tony

"cook some rice!"

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caslug says on Feb 9, 2005, 09:24:

hmmm... maybe it has something to do with.. USA = United States of AMERICA, afterall USA was formed in 1783(?) and we just happen to choose that name. If we choose another name, ie, United States of Mars, we would happily call ourserlves martians. Dont blame us, blame the continential congress or other countries that had a chance to take the name america but didnt.

Beside, most of the spanish colonies didnt get their indpendence until much later. So they never got the chance to use the word american in their country name.

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juanalejo says on Feb 9, 2005, 10:54:

For once I agree with GIB For the first time I think I agree with GIB, "one should stop picking on the country that holds you" that person should pick their bags and go back to their own country "and I for one will have more respect for you". So guess is clear and transparent, GIB is time for you to pack your bags and go back to the US because the constant picking on Colombia the country that holds you is getting on the nerves of us citizens of this country.

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ColombianoX says on Feb 9, 2005, 17:55:

"Dont blame us, blame the continential congress or other countries that had a chance to take the name america but didnt."

"Beside, most of the spanish colonies didnt get their indpendence until much later. So they never got the chance to use the word american in their country name."


Caslug,

Why would the "other countries" want to take a name that was already given to the New World?



"After the findings of the "New World" a mapmaker suggested they call it America, after the knowing founder. Martin Waldseemuller a German mapmaker was one of the first to believe that Vespucci was the first European to reach the "New World." In 1507, he suggested they call it America and soon this name was used throughout and eventually used officially in the naming of the continent. "

http://www.studyworld.com/Amerigo_Vespucci.htm

"A more interesting question is why the cartographer Martin Waldseemueller in 1507 named the New World (actually, just South America) America rather than Vespucciland--although I guess to ask the question is to answer it. Amerigo's first name was a lot more euphonious than his last name, and (no small matter) could be latinized into a word that started and ended with the letter A, just like Asia and Africa before it."

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_021.html




CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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santiBOG says on Feb 9, 2005, 18:25:

God-given name "Because America is our God-given name"

OMG, you gotta be kidding!!! GOD-GIVEN name!

I agree that over 200 years later, this topic is quite irrelevant, but then again many things on pbh are but we like to discuss them anyway.

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dannyherm says on Feb 9, 2005, 22:48:

Here Goes Gringo! From the Honduras Times:

"The word gringo was mentioned in Spanish literature as early as the eighteenth century. In his famous Diccionario, compiled some time before 1750, Terreros y Pando, a Spanish historian states that gringo was a nickname given to foreigners in Malaga and Madrid who spoke Spanish with an accent, and that in Madrid the term had special reference to the Irish. The pertinent passage in the Diccionario reads:

"Gringo in Malaga, what they call foreigners who (have) a certain kind of accent which prevents their speaking Spanish with ease and spontaneity; in Madrid the case is the same, and for some reason, especially with respect to the Irish."

"Another instance of its 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.

"Between the late 1760's and the early 1830's, however, the word apparently was rarely used, for no mention of it during that period has been found.

"Beginning in 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 the Peruvian women 'prefer marrying a Gringo to a Paisanito, or (native).' In this 'voyage,' Isabelle complains about the insulting names, such as gringo, that travelers were called in South America. As for dictionaries, two, Diccionario (1846) of Vicente Salva y Perez, list gringo as a nickname given a foreigner who speaks an unintelligible language. Interestingly enough, 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?)

Scholars are not in agreement about the correct use and origin of this word. 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."

What I think is very evident from all of this is that this word was used long ago before any English-speaking calvary soldiers were riding and singing near the Mexican border as has been suggested by some in previous reports.

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lpdiver says on Feb 10, 2005, 04:25:

If residents of the United States of America refering to their country as America bothers you; then residients of California refering to themselves as being from Cali, must absolutely incense you! No?


JeJeJe

Antony

"cook some rice!"

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billy_wb says on Feb 11, 2005, 21:09:

el punto es ; Here in europe a lot of people think that the gringos believe there are two clases of americans , you know ; americans {first class }; americans {second class}.United states is not the only real place where people can live.:)
VIVA COLOMBIA!!!!!!!!!

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fzrdan says on Feb 11, 2005, 21:15:

Here in europe......VIVA COLOMBIA!!!!!!!!!

Another one not living in their own country. Why are there so many Colombians on this site not living in Colombia but saying Colombia is so great? Mrs. Gomez is the only one I have seen give a real reason for it. Even with all the stories she has told us, she is still going to go back (if only for a visit). Get over the word American people, you have much more important things to worry about in your own country.

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billy_wb says on Feb 11, 2005, 21:29:

I`M LIVING IN MY COUNTRY ............ SORRY YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE I`M FROM SWITZERLAND AND I`M LIVING IN MY COUNTRY NOW, BUT I ALSO LIVED IN USA (1968-1975)AND ALSO IN COLOMBIA (1975-1985) AND I`M SAYING ONLY WHAT I SAW.OK.;)
VIVA COLOMBIA!!!!!!!!

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fzrdan says on Feb 11, 2005, 21:33:

billy_wb I must have mistaken you for someone else.Sorry about that. Don't NEED TO YELL at me....have a nice evening.

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