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.
Add Comment
These terms and conditions contain rules about posting comments. By submitting a comment, you are declaring that you agree with these rules:
- Although the administrator will attempt to moderate comments, it is impossible for every comment to have been moderated at any given time.
- You acknowledge that all comments express the views and opinions of the original author and not those of the administrator.
- You agree not to post any material which is knowingly false, obscene, hateful, threatening, harassing or invasive of a person's privacy.
- The administrator has the right to edit, move or remove any comment for any reason and without notice.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in being banned from submitting further comments.
These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time and without notice.
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.
I have just thought of these new names for the country …
1. United States of Usonia
2. Usonia of America
3. United Usonian States
Only then, Usonia would be the official short name for the country! 🙂
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.