yeah, but...
That's cumbersome - you'll have to shorten it to use it in everyday speech. Yank is acceptable. What is important to remember is that the country's official name is the United States of America - these states, over here, in America, are united. Well not really but in theory, anyway - I don't pretend to understand it, but I think it has more to do with simple laziness than with any sense of imperialism. Anyway, you can also call us by our state - I have had the honor of being a New Mexican (which causes no end of confusion in certain quarters) and a Nevadan. United Stateser is ugly - and it would also apply to Mexicans, who live in the Mexican United States (Los Estados Unidos de Mexico)

Sorry for your loss though - that must have been horrible. I feel terrible for you.
(aeon chicken Like the Millenium Falcon, only slower and noisier, Sun 4 May 2008, 23:35, Reply)