The name of The United States of America?

mikeland · 12-15-2006, 06:23 AM

I was thinking about this yesterday on the drive home ... (I know I'm weird.)

I know the reasoning why this country is called "The United States of America" ... it's pretty obvious. But I started to wonder if the founding fathers ever thought of calling it something else. Maybe Washingtonia or Jeffersonia?

On Wikipedia, it was mentioned that some people used to call it America or even Columbia!

Does anyone have any more insight into this?

FrumiousBoojum · 12-15-2006, 06:38 AM

Well, I believe that Benjamin Franklin's cousin, Michael, was wanting to call it Mikeland, but that didn't work out so well. Thus, he's forgotten to all history now.

goofygoof · 12-15-2006, 07:44 AM

You know, this has me thinking now. When I get back into the office, i'm definitly going to look this up. If I remember correctly, there were other names they had.

This is going to make me finish my site work fast and get back to check! yay for history!!!

Druggas · 12-15-2006, 07:57 AM

Well, they thought about calling it DCA, but it failed to generate any enthusasm.

Imagine that.

frecky · 12-15-2006, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrumiousBoojum

Well, I believe that Benjamin Franklin's cousin, Michael, was wanting to call it Mikeland, but that didn't work out so well. Thus, he's forgotten to all history now.

Interesting thought though mikeland.

mikeland · 12-15-2006, 08:05 AM

Well, Mikeland DOES exist, but only in my mind. And gosh the taxes are high. We've also had an immigration problem, but that was solved when we'd only pay everyone minimum wage.

Anywho ... I am still expecting some of our Micechat scholars to come up with some interesting historical tidbits.

hollywood1939 · 12-15-2006, 08:11 AM

I don't know about the United States part but the America is from Portuguese explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

Nephythys · 12-15-2006, 08:20 AM

^^Thanks- I was gonna say that.

Thank goodness they did not use his last name!

frecky · 12-15-2006, 08:22 AM

Vespuccia? Sounds like pasta.

mikeland · 12-15-2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Thank goodness they did not use his last name!

The United States of Vespucci.

G-d Bless Vespucci!

Vespucci the Beautiful.

Ummm ... NO!!!

hollywood1939 · 12-15-2006, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nephythys

^^Thanks- I was gonna say that.

Thank goodness they did not use his last name!

v This is probably what they used for his last name instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frecky

Vespuccia? Sounds like pasta.

FrumiousBoojum · 12-15-2006, 09:11 AM

I dunno... Vespuccia sounds more like it fits in with the fashion industry than pasta.

mikeland · 12-15-2006, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrumiousBoojum

I dunno... Vespuccia sounds more like it fits in with the fashion industry than pasta.

Or a scooter.

FrumiousBoojum · 12-15-2006, 09:54 AM

Or a chicken.

splashmountainfreak · 12-15-2006, 11:39 AM

Think if they had used Vespucci.

Then you'd be saying "You mean we could've been called America? Man, that would have sucked!"

Oh well, it's still a cooler name then Canada, and everyone knows how we got our name! A bunch of settlers in Montreal were stumped as to what to call this new land, so to decide they threw every word in the alphabet in a hat and planned on drawing random letters to come up with the name. One of the settlers reached in and pulled out a letter and said "This new land shall start with C, eh!". He then reached in and pulled another letter and said "The next part shall be N, eh!" He then repeated the process "And it shall end with D, eh! Oh darn it, this isn't gonna be a very good name without any vowels." The man who was writing down the letters as they were drawn piped up "Au contraire, it actually does spell a word: Canada!"

12-15-2006, 06:23 AM	#1
mikeland World Traveler Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aventura, FL Posts: 3,790	The name of The United States of America? I was thinking about this yesterday on the drive home ... (I know I'm weird.) I know the reasoning why this country is called "The United States of America" ... it's pretty obvious. But I started to wonder if the founding fathers ever thought of calling it something else. Maybe Washingtonia or Jeffersonia? On Wikipedia, it was mentioned that some people used to call it America or even Columbia! Does anyone have any more insight into this? __________________

12-15-2006, 06:38 AM	#2
FrumiousBoojum Huh? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 7,685	Re: The name of The United States of America? Well, I believe that Benjamin Franklin's cousin, Michael, was wanting to call it Mikeland, but that didn't work out so well. Thus, he's forgotten to all history now. __________________ -Tim

12-15-2006, 07:44 AM	#3
goofygoof Bring Me Two Piña Coladas Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: St. Aples Center Posts: 3,064	Re: The name of The United States of America? You know, this has me thinking now. When I get back into the office, i'm definitly going to look this up. If I remember correctly, there were other names they had. This is going to make me finish my site work fast and get back to check! yay for history!!!

12-15-2006, 07:57 AM	#4
Druggas Hooterville, USA Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The Haney House Posts: 4,450	Re: The name of The United States of America? Well, they thought about calling it DCA, but it failed to generate any enthusasm. Imagine that. __________________ This has been a Filmways presentation dahling.

12-15-2006, 08:05 AM	#6
mikeland World Traveler Join Date: May 2005 Location: Aventura, FL Posts: 3,790	Re: The name of The United States of America? Well, Mikeland DOES exist, but only in my mind. And gosh the taxes are high. We've also had an immigration problem, but that was solved when we'd only pay everyone minimum wage. Anywho ... I am still expecting some of our Micechat scholars to come up with some interesting historical tidbits. __________________

12-15-2006, 08:11 AM	#7
hollywood1939 isn't an elitist MiceEars Crew Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Twin City Posts: 12,609	Re: The name of The United States of America? I don't know about the United States part but the America is from Portuguese explorer Amerigo Vespucci. __________________ -Jack http://disneylanddetails.blogspot.com/ Doc Brown had 2 Deloreans!

12-15-2006, 08:20 AM	#8
Nephythys This space left blank Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5,846	Re: The name of The United States of America? ^^Thanks- I was gonna say that. Thank goodness they did not use his last name!

12-15-2006, 08:22 AM	#9
frecky Rockin Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: with the people who love me most Posts: 20,678 Blog Entries: 29	Re: The name of The United States of America? Vespuccia? Sounds like pasta. __________________ Fratsor Sister-Delta Mu Chi Alpha ΔΜΧΑ Proud member of the B.A. I LOVE US!! Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.

12-15-2006, 09:11 AM	#12
FrumiousBoojum Huh? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 7,685	Re: The name of The United States of America? I dunno... Vespuccia sounds more like it fits in with the fashion industry than pasta. __________________ -Tim

12-15-2006, 09:54 AM	#14
FrumiousBoojum Huh? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 7,685	Re: The name of The United States of America? Or a chicken. __________________ -Tim

12-15-2006, 11:39 AM	#15
splashmountainfreak Flames Fan/Oiler Hater Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 8,020	Re: The name of The United States of America? Think if they had used Vespucci. Then you'd be saying "You mean we could've been called America? Man, that would have sucked!" Oh well, it's still a cooler name then Canada, and everyone knows how we got our name! A bunch of settlers in Montreal were stumped as to what to call this new land, so to decide they threw every word in the alphabet in a hat and planned on drawing random letters to come up with the name. One of the settlers reached in and pulled out a letter and said "This new land shall start with C, eh!". He then reached in and pulled another letter and said "The next part shall be N, eh!" He then repeated the process "And it shall end with D, eh! Oh darn it, this isn't gonna be a very good name without any vowels." The man who was writing down the letters as they were drawn piped up "Au contraire, it actually does spell a word: Canada!" __________________ Last edited by splashmountainfreak; 12-15-2006 at 11:46 AM.

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