French speakers use "Étasunien" or "États-unien" and Spanish speakers use "Estadounidense". Both translate roughly as "United Statesian". Notice the absence of anything resembling the word "America".
Since many people outside the USA define America as the proper name for an entire CONTINENT, not just one country,they're quite unwilling to use the term "American".
Slashdot Mirror
French speakers use "Étasunien" or "États-unien" and Spanish speakers use "Estadounidense". Both translate roughly as "United Statesian". Notice the absence of anything resembling the word "America".
Since many people outside the USA define America as the proper name for an entire CONTINENT, not just one country,they're quite unwilling to use the term "American".
Several alternative demonyms have been proposed.