My fellow Americans...Does it rankle you to be lumped in by our ancestors from far off lands into an amorphous geo blob known as "America"....or would you prefer to keep the 49th parallel nice and clear?
That is, I think I could speak for most Canadians itmers who really get rather amused when people in Ireland and G.B. refer to us all as "americans".....nope, we like our distinctions: ie, Canada or United States -- or if you prefer North Americans/N.America perhaps....
what say you U.S. brethren? [or do you regard us as part of the U.S. anyway?]
Yeah, but mtodd, a lot wouldn't be able to hear a difference between Canadians and Americans, you'd all sound the same to them. It takes a bit of practice to hear the differences.
True enough DD. Point taken. Oddly, people in California often sound quite Candian!!...to Canadians. Whereas even in places close by Toronto -- such as Buffalo, Rochester, Detroit or Chicago there are noticeable regional accents...to Canadian ears. Buffalo for sure. And Ohio of course.
Interesting. Can't hear any of those differences at all, myself.
I can sort of hear the difference between California and east coast, and some of the New York accents, and some of the southern ones - and Canadian. That's about it.
I love it how the Irish can hear accents almost down to the town!
Isn't it amazing how much difference there is in the accent just by crossing a river. I was born in Flint to Canadian parents. Spent most of my childhood in New Brunswick (St. Anne's Parish), and have split my time between Sarna (Ontario) and Flint (Michigan). In Michigan people pick me out as Canadian with no problem.
I tend to use "The Americas" to refer to both continents (many in South America consider themselves to be Americans, funny that isn't it ?) and North America to describe The U.S. and Canada who despite everything really are more alike than apart. Surprisingly I've never heard of any Irish people that can't tell the difference between Canada and the U.S. What shocks me is still being offered sterling in the banks in Toronto when I need to grab Euros for Ireland, the playing of "g** save the q***** at Irish presidential events (as happened to Mary Robinson when being conferred with an honourary degree at the uni of Toronto), the insistence of so called responsible national media in Canada to continually refer to the political situation in the North of Ireland in religious sectarian terms (that one really gets me going) and the national obsession with calling songs tunes and tunes songs, never mind using the term "celtic music" when describing anything east of the Ontario border.
Of all Americans, people from the Midwest are least aware of their speech patterns1. Certainly, to British, Australian or even Canadian ears the Midwestern accent would sound odd, but in the realm of American English, it's about as plain as you can get.
Because of their easily discernible dialect, Midlanders tend to be more likely to get jobs in mass media. Television anchors, weathermen, radio announcers and advertising voiceover people all tend to come from areas with Midland accents. Aspiring actors pay exorbitant fees to speech coaches to lose their natural accent and adopt the Midland, in order to get work. It is thought that a plain accent will appeal more broadly to all audiences, everywhere. However, in some places local residents actually resent the fact that their local reporters say the word 'curb' or 'murder' wrongly. The mass-media proliferation of the Midland dialect has also caused alarmists to fear that regional and local dialects will be flattened out and homogenised throughout America.
..........................
Indiana is interesting from a dialect standpoint. In southern Indiana, a southern drawl is present. In the middle of the state, including the capital of Indianapolis, there is a plain Midland accent. Customer service call centres are often placed in Indianapolis because of its plain accent. The north is a bit more influenced by the Chicago accent.
........................
When making vowel sounds, Californians and Westerners tend to hang their mouth open more than Midwesterners. This contributes to a slight chain shift involving the tongue, which produces vowel sounds that can be distinct from those of the more eastern speakers of the Midland accent. Even within the state of California, people from the north of the state can sometimes identify southern Californians based on their approach to the language.
Okay, fine
Fer sure, fer sure
She's a valley girl
In a clothing store
- From the Moon Unit and Frank Zappa song 'Valley Girl'
There is also the youthfully feminine 'Valley Girl Talk', arising out of southern Californian shopping malls, which insists on inserting the words 'like' and 'totally' into just about every sentence as well as many other annoying mannerisms.
We saw Harry Manx last night for a wonderful concert and he shared this story from a recent tour in the U.S.: The interviewer found out that Harry was from Canada and said "so you guys are basically unarmed Americans with health insurance, right?".
My sister-out-law is from Rochester, NY, and I can't believe that the accent travels all the way across the water from Toronto. Especially knowing how long it took the ferry to get across. And, how long it took us to get through Customs, each way.
Anyway, she calls me 'Pea-dur'.
Quote from an episode of The West Wing;
"Canada has promised us full support barring any actual assistance."
It's not about the accents. It's about who holds the door for you.
Having lived both north and south of the 49th parallel (and originally being from a different continent altogether) my experience is there's a lot of truth to that stereotype.
I think residents of Canada have a perfect right to refer to themselves as "Canadians" and to insist on being called "Canadians" instead of "Americans".
Funny, when I lived in Australia for a year in the early 70s, I remember having a very serious (for a 7 year old, at least) argument with my neighbor kid from Canada whether he was an "American", or not. He swore up and down that he should be considered an American, because he lived in North America, and my argument was that the term "American" had come to represent people strictly from the United States of America...
And now the Canadians are arguing to not be lumped in with us USAicans...
Canadian speech strikes me as arising from some primal source very deep down and remote in the being of the Canadian, something like the titanic grinding of geological layers or the calving of glaciers. But last time I told an American girl, "You're Canadian, aren't you?", I got it wrong - I think she was from Colorado. She was very nice about it.
In writing, I mean by "North America" both Canada and the USA (but not Mexico). I tend not to use "America" unless it's clear from the context that the US is meant. For the entire continent I say "The Americas".
"My fellow Americans...Does it rankle you to be lumped in by our ancestors from far off lands into an amorphous geo blob known as "America"....or would you prefer to keep the 49th parallel nice and clear?"
If I may chime in as a Northwest Atlantic Archipelagic pedant, if you choose to include Canadians in your definition of 'American', then you have to also include Mexicans, Nicaraguans, Peruvians, Paraguayans, etc., since they all belong to the American continent. But, more often than not, in English* and other languages, when we use the term 'American', we are referring to people or things from the *country* of 'America', which is really just an abbreviated form of 'The United States of America'. So, to call a Canadian an 'American' is to associate them with the USA, with which, for reasons best know to themselves (although some of which can be imagined) they do not want to be associated. It's a bit like calling an Irishman 'British' - Ireland is, of course, part of the British *Isles*, but not the British *state*, to which the term commonly refers.
By my own admission, I am not always as astute as I would like in distinguishing some Canadian accents from some USAmerican ones. If in doubt, I would use the term 'North American', which, although blatantly revealing my lack of expertise in accent recognition, cannot be considered 'incorrect', since Canada and the USA are both in (and make up the bulk of) North America. (A problem then arises when trying to find a convenient term for a person from the Northern United States (-: ).
*This holds true for English, and probably most languages of the world. But in Portuguese, the term 'Americano' usually pertains to *Latin* America, and, more often than not, Brazil, since that is the part of The Americas with which Portugal is most closely connected.
The problem arises when referring to someone from the USA. You can't say USAian - there's no such word. So you have to say "American".
But this term is ambiguous, as it might refer to someone from North America (excluding Mexico) or possibly to someone from anywhere on the American continent.
The terminology in use for countries on the other side of the Atlantic is also confusing, and is rarely understood by Americans (at least not those from the USA).
Great Britain=England+Scotland+Wales
"UK" is short for: "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".
So that's: England+Scotland+Wales+Northern Ireland.
"British Isles" is a geographical region, not a political one, and includes the UK, the Republic of Ireland (Eire), the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
However, the term "British Isles" is now considered to be politically incorrect, and some atlas publishers are no longer using it.
We had this conversation at the pub the other day. I call Canadiens, Canadiens, US Citizens, Americans and Mexicans, Mexicans. But what amazed me was some of my fellow conservatives called everyone north of Panama, regardless of their citizenship, Americans.
They were.. like totally being, politically correct... ya kno'
Interesting question. I'man American, and I always connect the word American with the U.S. of America. To me, Canadians are, well.....Canadians. It never really occured to me that Canadians could technically be considered Americans. However, since Canadians are easier-going than Americans, I think there might as well be a name distinction, too.
mtodd did not mention accents, but that is what many posters have focussed on.
I know many Canadians who have accents from other countries, but I have no doubt that they are Canadian.
I also know people who were born here of Canadian parents, but have been American since childhood.
It's not what you sound like, it's who you are.
I can't drink enough beer to pass for a Canadian either.
Since many of my co-workers at this hospital are from other countries, when and if I hear someone speaking English with a recognizably foreign accent, I will ask them where they are from. I have learned that I am working with people from various places such as Trinidad and Tobago; the Phillipines; India; Pakistan; Australia; New Zealand; Nigeria; Algeria; Russia; Germany; Scotland; Ireland; Canada; Guiana; Egypt; Jordan; Syria; Iraq; Iran; Ukraine; Kazahkstan; and other countries.
Since I was born and raised in Chicago and still talk like someone from Chicago but live in Arkansas now, sometimes people ask me where I am from originally.
It seems to be a requirement for politicians, celebrities, and others in the US to frequently and publicly state that "America is the greatest country in the world."
Is there a possibility that those of us in Canada and Mexico can now bask in that warm glow, or are we still considered inferior countires?
The accent thing is confusing. I used to have a friend in Alberta who had - to my ear - quite a noticeable drawl. I always thought he was from Montana or Wyoming or Utah. No, he grew up in St. Albert, which is just north of Edmonton.
Very interesting question. I went and asked my friend Wrestles With Alligators who lives on the Seminole reservation in the Everglades. While deep in his shamanistic smoke-hut reverie, he suddenly stood up, obviously channeling a grumpy Caucasian senior citizen, and with eyes wild and hair aflame screamed at the top of his lungs:
"ALL YOU DAMN PALEFACES GET THE F OFF MY LAWN!!! AMERICANS?!? WE'RE THE AMERICANS!!!"
Thankfully, he sat back down and continued to chant, and we had a lovely afternoon communing with the swamp birds and other creatures. Point well taken, however.
"The problem arises when referring to someone from the USA. You can't say USAian - there's no such word. So you have to say "American"."
How 'bout "Yank"?!
Accent means nothing, I once had some American tourists in a pub in Stirling ask me which part of Scotland I was from, after I had been chatting with them for a bit.
I often get people asking me if I am Canadian. When I say no, they explain that the Americans don't care if asked whether or not their Canadian but the Canadians get annoyed if accused of being American.
I was watching some Sarah Palin speech where she declared more than once that the USA was the greatest country in the world. It's sure easier to say than describing an *actual* foreign policy; not to mention the media and all those die-hard patriotic voters will love you for it.
Speaking of "Yanks".....shortly after I moved to Arkansas from Chicago, one of the locals jokingly explained the difference between a "Yankee" and a "Damn Yankee".
A "Yankee" is a person who comes to Arkansas or some other southern state from somewhere up north such as Wisconsin or Chicago to visit and then goes back home. A "Damn Yankee" however is someone who comes to Arkansas from Wisconsin or Chicago to visit and decides they like Arkansas so much that they move to Arkansas and stay here instead of going back home at the end of their visit.
Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
My fellow Americans...Does it rankle you to be lumped in by our ancestors from far off lands into an amorphous geo blob known as "America"....or would you prefer to keep the 49th parallel nice and clear?
That is, I think I could speak for most Canadians itmers who really get rather amused when people in Ireland and G.B. refer to us all as "americans".....nope, we like our distinctions: ie, Canada or United States -- or if you prefer North Americans/N.America perhaps....
what say you U.S. brethren? [or do you regard us as part of the U.S. anyway?]
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by skin&bow
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Yeah, but mtodd, a lot wouldn't be able to hear a difference between Canadians and Americans, you'd all sound the same to them. It takes a bit of practice to hear the differences.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
True enough DD. Point taken. Oddly, people in California often sound quite Candian!!...to Canadians. Whereas even in places close by Toronto -- such as Buffalo, Rochester, Detroit or Chicago there are noticeable regional accents...to Canadian ears. Buffalo for sure. And Ohio of course.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by skin&bow
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Interesting. Can't hear any of those differences at all, myself.
I can sort of hear the difference between California and east coast, and some of the New York accents, and some of the southern ones - and Canadian. That's about it.
I love it how the Irish can hear accents almost down to the town!
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Skull Duggeraigh Dubh
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Isn't it amazing how much difference there is in the accent just by crossing a river. I was born in Flint to Canadian parents. Spent most of my childhood in New Brunswick (St. Anne's Parish), and have split my time between Sarna (Ontario) and Flint (Michigan). In Michigan people pick me out as Canadian with no problem.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by dlkes
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
I tend to use "The Americas" to refer to both continents (many in South America consider themselves to be Americans, funny that isn't it ?) and North America to describe The U.S. and Canada who despite everything really are more alike than apart. Surprisingly I've never heard of any Irish people that can't tell the difference between Canada and the U.S. What shocks me is still being offered sterling in the banks in Toronto when I need to grab Euros for Ireland, the playing of "g** save the q***** at Irish presidential events (as happened to Mary Robinson when being conferred with an honourary degree at the uni of Toronto), the insistence of so called responsible national media in Canada to continually refer to the political situation in the North of Ireland in religious sectarian terms (that one really gets me going) and the national obsession with calling songs tunes and tunes songs, never mind using the term "celtic music" when describing anything east of the Ontario border.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Patkiwi
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
DD
here's a great link [by the BBC of all things!!] to the variations in American accents:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A30501730
some highlights:
Of all Americans, people from the Midwest are least aware of their speech patterns1. Certainly, to British, Australian or even Canadian ears the Midwestern accent would sound odd, but in the realm of American English, it's about as plain as you can get.
Because of their easily discernible dialect, Midlanders tend to be more likely to get jobs in mass media. Television anchors, weathermen, radio announcers and advertising voiceover people all tend to come from areas with Midland accents. Aspiring actors pay exorbitant fees to speech coaches to lose their natural accent and adopt the Midland, in order to get work. It is thought that a plain accent will appeal more broadly to all audiences, everywhere. However, in some places local residents actually resent the fact that their local reporters say the word 'curb' or 'murder' wrongly. The mass-media proliferation of the Midland dialect has also caused alarmists to fear that regional and local dialects will be flattened out and homogenised throughout America.
..........................
Indiana is interesting from a dialect standpoint. In southern Indiana, a southern drawl is present. In the middle of the state, including the capital of Indianapolis, there is a plain Midland accent. Customer service call centres are often placed in Indianapolis because of its plain accent. The north is a bit more influenced by the Chicago accent.
........................
When making vowel sounds, Californians and Westerners tend to hang their mouth open more than Midwesterners. This contributes to a slight chain shift involving the tongue, which produces vowel sounds that can be distinct from those of the more eastern speakers of the Midland accent. Even within the state of California, people from the north of the state can sometimes identify southern Californians based on their approach to the language.
Okay, fine
Fer sure, fer sure
She's a valley girl
In a clothing store
- From the Moon Unit and Frank Zappa song 'Valley Girl'
There is also the youthfully feminine 'Valley Girl Talk', arising out of southern Californian shopping malls, which insists on inserting the words 'like' and 'totally' into just about every sentence as well as many other annoying mannerisms.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by skin&bow
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Ravenwood
very interesting...check out that BBC link on regional/american accents. it talks about the upper michigan pennin. for one.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by skin&bow
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
We saw Harry Manx last night for a wonderful concert and he shared this story from a recent tour in the U.S.: The interviewer found out that Harry was from Canada and said "so you guys are basically unarmed Americans with health insurance, right?".
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by octogreg
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Harry Manx is English
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Patkiwi
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
My sister-out-law is from Rochester, NY, and I can't believe that the accent travels all the way across the water from Toronto. Especially knowing how long it took the ferry to get across. And, how long it took us to get through Customs, each way.
Anyway, she calls me 'Pea-dur'.
Quote from an episode of The West Wing;
"Canada has promised us full support barring any actual assistance."
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
It's not about the accents. It's about who holds the door for you.
Having lived both north and south of the 49th parallel (and originally being from a different continent altogether) my experience is there's a lot of truth to that stereotype.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by grego
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
I think residents of Canada have a perfect right to refer to themselves as "Canadians" and to insist on being called "Canadians" instead of "Americans".
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
I don't think I can drink enough beer to pass for a Canadian
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Nate Ryan
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Funny, when I lived in Australia for a year in the early 70s, I remember having a very serious (for a 7 year old, at least) argument with my neighbor kid from Canada whether he was an "American", or not. He swore up and down that he should be considered an American, because he lived in North America, and my argument was that the term "American" had come to represent people strictly from the United States of America...
And now the Canadians are arguing to not be lumped in with us USAicans...
Make up your mind, people!
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Reverend
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Canadian speech strikes me as arising from some primal source very deep down and remote in the being of the Canadian, something like the titanic grinding of geological layers or the calving of glaciers. But last time I told an American girl, "You're Canadian, aren't you?", I got it wrong - I think she was from Colorado. She was very nice about it.
In writing, I mean by "North America" both Canada and the USA (but not Mexico). I tend not to use "America" unless it's clear from the context that the US is meant. For the entire continent I say "The Americas".
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by nicholas
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Reverend: being an American was actually cool back in the 70's, so yeah.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Whiddler
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
(...Well, sometimes I'd use "North America" to mean USA + Canada + Mexico - depends on context...)
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by nicholas
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
"My fellow Americans...Does it rankle you to be lumped in by our ancestors from far off lands into an amorphous geo blob known as "America"....or would you prefer to keep the 49th parallel nice and clear?"
If I may chime in as a Northwest Atlantic Archipelagic pedant, if you choose to include Canadians in your definition of 'American', then you have to also include Mexicans, Nicaraguans, Peruvians, Paraguayans, etc., since they all belong to the American continent. But, more often than not, in English* and other languages, when we use the term 'American', we are referring to people or things from the *country* of 'America', which is really just an abbreviated form of 'The United States of America'. So, to call a Canadian an 'American' is to associate them with the USA, with which, for reasons best know to themselves (although some of which can be imagined) they do not want to be associated. It's a bit like calling an Irishman 'British' - Ireland is, of course, part of the British *Isles*, but not the British *state*, to which the term commonly refers.
By my own admission, I am not always as astute as I would like in distinguishing some Canadian accents from some USAmerican ones. If in doubt, I would use the term 'North American', which, although blatantly revealing my lack of expertise in accent recognition, cannot be considered 'incorrect', since Canada and the USA are both in (and make up the bulk of) North America. (A problem then arises when trying to find a convenient term for a person from the Northern United States (-: ).
*This holds true for English, and probably most languages of the world. But in Portuguese, the term 'Americano' usually pertains to *Latin* America, and, more often than not, Brazil, since that is the part of The Americas with which Portugal is most closely connected.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Canada ->>> Canadian - that's easy.
The problem arises when referring to someone from the USA. You can't say USAian - there's no such word. So you have to say "American".
But this term is ambiguous, as it might refer to someone from North America (excluding Mexico) or possibly to someone from anywhere on the American continent.
The terminology in use for countries on the other side of the Atlantic is also confusing, and is rarely understood by Americans (at least not those from the USA).
Great Britain=England+Scotland+Wales
"UK" is short for: "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".
So that's: England+Scotland+Wales+Northern Ireland.
"British Isles" is a geographical region, not a political one, and includes the UK, the Republic of Ireland (Eire), the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
However, the term "British Isles" is now considered to be politically incorrect, and some atlas publishers are no longer using it.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
We had this conversation at the pub the other day. I call Canadiens, Canadiens, US Citizens, Americans and Mexicans, Mexicans. But what amazed me was some of my fellow conservatives called everyone north of Panama, regardless of their citizenship, Americans.
They were.. like totally being, politically correct... ya kno'
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Fishmonger
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Interesting question. I'man American, and I always connect the word American with the U.S. of America. To me, Canadians are, well.....Canadians. It never really occured to me that Canadians could technically be considered Americans. However, since Canadians are easier-going than Americans, I think there might as well be a name distinction, too.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Quarter Irish
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
mtodd did not mention accents, but that is what many posters have focussed on.
I know many Canadians who have accents from other countries, but I have no doubt that they are Canadian.
I also know people who were born here of Canadian parents, but have been American since childhood.
It's not what you sound like, it's who you are.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by oldstrings
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
I can't drink enough beer to pass for a Canadian either.
Since many of my co-workers at this hospital are from other countries, when and if I hear someone speaking English with a recognizably foreign accent, I will ask them where they are from. I have learned that I am working with people from various places such as Trinidad and Tobago; the Phillipines; India; Pakistan; Australia; New Zealand; Nigeria; Algeria; Russia; Germany; Scotland; Ireland; Canada; Guiana; Egypt; Jordan; Syria; Iraq; Iran; Ukraine; Kazahkstan; and other countries.
Since I was born and raised in Chicago and still talk like someone from Chicago but live in Arkansas now, sometimes people ask me where I am from originally.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
It seems to be a requirement for politicians, celebrities, and others in the US to frequently and publicly state that "America is the greatest country in the world."
Is there a possibility that those of us in Canada and Mexico can now bask in that warm glow, or are we still considered inferior countires?
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by grego
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Windup alert.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by drone
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Let me clear this up.
'Americans' are white people from the USA who believe in Jesus.
White people from the USA who don't believe in Jesus are called "un-Americans".
Dark people from the USA can also sometimes be Americans, but they have a hyphen in front.
Canadians are just Canadians.
Mexicans and anyone south of the Rio Grande are categorically not Americans. In fact, they don't even exist.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by polkageist
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
The accent thing is confusing. I used to have a friend in Alberta who had - to my ear - quite a noticeable drawl. I always thought he was from Montana or Wyoming or Utah. No, he grew up in St. Albert, which is just north of Edmonton.
# Posted on October 16th 2008 by Gzeg
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
This question is somewhat like one I asked some time ago.
http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/11965/comments#comment243680
# Posted on October 17th 2008 by oldstrings
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Ha ha! Silver bow, very good summary. I could add to it, but nope I'm
not gunna. I might get added some list in Washington.
# Posted on October 17th 2008 by Hup
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
added *to* some list (if I'm not on it already)
# Posted on October 17th 2008 by Hup
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
I've always known it as Amnerika, so I don't what you fellas are on about...
# Posted on October 17th 2008 by gravelwalks
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Very interesting question. I went and asked my friend Wrestles With Alligators who lives on the Seminole reservation in the Everglades. While deep in his shamanistic smoke-hut reverie, he suddenly stood up, obviously channeling a grumpy Caucasian senior citizen, and with eyes wild and hair aflame screamed at the top of his lungs:
"ALL YOU DAMN PALEFACES GET THE F OFF MY LAWN!!! AMERICANS?!? WE'RE THE AMERICANS!!!"
Thankfully, he sat back down and continued to chant, and we had a lovely afternoon communing with the swamp birds and other creatures. Point well taken, however.
# Posted on October 17th 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Well said, SWFL. Well said.
# Posted on October 17th 2008 by Atahualpa Quigley
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
"The problem arises when referring to someone from the USA. You can't say USAian - there's no such word. So you have to say "American"."
How 'bout "Yank"?!
# Posted on October 18th 2008 by Ceolagusrince
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Accent means nothing, I once had some American tourists in a pub in Stirling ask me which part of Scotland I was from, after I had been chatting with them for a bit.
I often get people asking me if I am Canadian. When I say no, they explain that the Americans don't care if asked whether or not their Canadian but the Canadians get annoyed if accused of being American.
I was watching some Sarah Palin speech where she declared more than once that the USA was the greatest country in the world. It's sure easier to say than describing an *actual* foreign policy; not to mention the media and all those die-hard patriotic voters will love you for it.
# Posted on October 18th 2008 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
*Please* don't mention that woman.
I hate having indigestion before lunch.
# Posted on October 18th 2008 by gravelwalks
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
'How 'bout "Yank"?!'
Please, some of us are Mets fans.
# Posted on October 20th 2008 by peterlenz
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Speaking of "Yanks".....shortly after I moved to Arkansas from Chicago, one of the locals jokingly explained the difference between a "Yankee" and a "Damn Yankee".
A "Yankee" is a person who comes to Arkansas or some other southern state from somewhere up north such as Wisconsin or Chicago to visit and then goes back home. A "Damn Yankee" however is someone who comes to Arkansas from Wisconsin or Chicago to visit and decides they like Arkansas so much that they move to Arkansas and stay here instead of going back home at the end of their visit.
# Posted on October 21st 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
fauxcelt, that would be a "Damned Yankee" in my neck of the woods.
Yew min' yer sideaah the line, and I min' mine!
# Posted on October 23rd 2008 by gravelwalks
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Where is your "neck of the woods" gravelwalks?
# Posted on October 24th 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: Would that be Canada, the U.S. or "America"?
Or would that be some other body part besides the neck?
# Posted on October 25th 2008 by fauxcelt