Have you ever heard an American refer to himself as a US’er? No? Then it’s probably not very nice for others to do so.
It is telling that the term is used on this board by leftist, anti-American, foreigners, though. So forgive me if I don’t find the usage neutral.
USer is an Aldebaranism - a term coined by him and used exclusively by him (at least, I’ve never, ever seen another reference to “USer” before). Or like how the New York Times tried to reinvent the English language back in the 70’s by spelling “night” as “nite.” :rolleyes: What narcissism.
I don’t have the patience or generosity of spirit (and I’m a pretty generous guy) to humor people like that - noms de plume on just another internet bulletin board (one among literally THOUSANDS of ibb’s) who wish to make the world/discussion revolve around them and the words they coin. :rolleyes:
That said, I don’t find Aldebaran so pit-worthy. But then again, I haven’t been around long enough, I suppose.
Here is the 1st place I’ve seen it. Never seen it or heard it anywhere else.
I also haven’t heard us US’ers refered to as ‘the prettiest golldang people on earth’. If they do, and none of us do, does that mean it’s not nice?
Really, I think you are inffering a pejorative sense without any evidence. Is ‘USer’ really that different from ‘New Englander’?
Here is the 1st place I’ve seen it. Never seen it or heard it anywhere else.
I also haven’t heard us US’ers refered to as ‘the prettiest golldang people on earth’. If they do, and none of us do, does that mean it’s not nice?
Really, I think you are inferring a pejorative sense without any evidence. Is ‘USer’ that different from ‘New Englander’?
Actually, I’ve only heard the term “USer” or “United Statsian” used by an even more pernicious and evil group of people than the leftist cabal: Canadians (of all political stripes).
Having not done as much research into ‘The Aldebaran Affair’ as Ilsa_Lund, I won’t comment on that.
But, I’ve most often seen “US’er” and “United Statesian” used by Canucks, Aussies, and Brits (Heavens! I contracted their collective nouns!) in a friendly manner, occasionally as a well-intentioned jab of the ‘Argentina and Manitoba are in the Americas, too’ kind.
Sorta like “Merricans” and “Merkins” and “Yanks” and “Overweight Gun-toting Fundie Invadophiles”
Wait - scratch that last one. That actually is a stereotyipcal and insulting generalization.
Yeah, Japs and Pakis are ususally considered offensive terms. They’ve usually been meant as such. But not all contractions are. Of course, somebody, somewhere, will be offended by just about anything one says, no matter how well-intentioned. And sometimes we can insult without knowing it.
Maybe Aldebaran is trying to be insulting. I don’t think that makes the terms themselves instantly taboo.
Ilsa, you are truly a god (ess? I’ve gotten too many poster’s genders wrong to start assuming) among us newbies. A truly inspirational flame.
[SIZE=8]GOD!! NOT GODDESS!!** Howmany times will I have to say that in this thread?
But thank you!
[CARTMAN] AGHH, God DA&%%#%T[/CARTMAN]
Hey; don’t screw with **Aldebaran; besides being a (self-claimed) linguist, historian, translater, Arabist and expert on Christianity, he’s also into weightlifting and martial arts.
Personally, after doing a bit of research, I have come to the conclusion that he’s a perennial grad student.
Must tax his one functioning braincell…
He’s on the other thread, why won’t he come here?
The horses… mustn’t forget the Arabian chargers!
-Rav
About US’ers and whatnot:
Being the one who brought up the whole US’ers thing in this thread, to clarify at least for myself: I used the words ‘vaguely’ and ‘somewhat’ to describe the offensiveness of it. No, the term isn’t directly offensive to me in any way. What is offensive is using dyslexia, English being a non-primary language and a non-romantic keyboard as an excuse for it. It’s a mild jibe, and I wouldn’t be bugged by it at all if it were admitted to. Instead, it’s an Alderism that Aldebaran uses and hides behind silly excuses for. S/he has been able to use the proper words for all nationalities but the US, and yet claims victim status when using it. It’s distasteful to watch. Hell, I agree with him/her on a lot, perhaps even most, foreign policy issues, but s/he tends to view ‘mericans as a bunch of flamingly right wing bible thumping nut-cases despite all evidence to the contrary.
Not saying you guys don’t have any legit gripes against Aldy, but this “USer” think is WAY weak. The guy said he was typing it like that because it’s shorter that way. I’m really not seeing what the big fat hairy deal is here. And comparing it to “Jap”? Come ON, give me a fucking break…
Tell ya what, milroyj - why don’t you go back to WWII and try living in an internment camp, THEN tell us if you still want to compare “USer” with “Jap”.:rolleyes:
Wait, some “Japs” in internment camps were American Citizens!!
Therefore, US’er must be horribly offensive! :smack:
You’re still going on about this? It’s very simple.
You don’t get to change rules of grammar/usage just because you don’t understand or like them. They are what they are. Live with them or continue being wrong.
For instance: you are a fuzz-brained Russo-Finn. I would not refer to you as a Fuzz-Brained Finno-Russ, because that would be improper usage, not to mention rude.
See? Easy.
Sorry, I have no idea what point you’re trying to make. Please elaborate.
Sarcasm, a common humor device. I was making an Alde style logic jump to make “US’er” seem offensive, as well as illustrating the stupidity of racial prejudice against natural born American Citizen’s.
Or something like that
Oh, then you’re agreeing with what I said - cool. I honestly wasn’t sure.
Yep. Buds? (Not Marijuana, although…)