The Star Trek reference
The right argument
In Star Trek there is a fictional interplanetary federal republic called The United Federation of Planets and it is referred to as The Federation (do you see the analogy?).
Under the wrong argument it should be called The Planets, which it is plain non-sense. Following this example it is quite easy to deduce that The United States of America should (if needed) be referred as The States but never as America.
Please, note that this page in not about demonyms (gentilics) but about the way to call a country.
Source: Wikipedia
STAR TREK and related marks are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc.
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Comments (4)
Freedonia, Usonia, Civitas-popularis, Itsalagigadohi ("ᎠᏂᏣᎳᎩᎦᏙᎯ," Cherokee for "land")... anything but "America."
I like the name Usonia. I don't know what civitas-popularis means, though.
You're using a TV show and movies for your example? That's ridiculous. Um, as you observed, Star Trek is fiction. No place in this argument. Also, if you want to take this as a real example, why couldn't it be called The Planets. I'm on board with that. Go, the Planets!
Even so, what you said does not invalidate the argument. Do not stare at the finger when someone is pointing to the moon.
Until there are more Federations in the name (cough United States of Brazil, United Mexican States cough).
The existence of United Mexican States is why United States of America is a stupid name. The name "United States of Brazil" isn't used anymore.
This actually makes sense.