What does EEUU mean? Learn the definition, origin and when to use this interesting slang term EEUU in English with online conversations and ESL image.
EEUU Meaning
What Does EEUU Mean?
EEUU is not an acronym and instead is slang for The United States of America. It is commonly used in Latin American but has seen some usage in America itself.
Origin of EEUU
EEUU began to see use in Latin America during the turn of the 21st century. Citizens of the United States will refer to themselves as “Americans”, which can cause confusion to non-Americans as it would be similar to a German calling themselves European and not German. Because of this, and the increased tension between Latin American countries and the United States, EEUU became slang for the United States while an “American” would be used similarly to “European”; native of the continent and not the actual country.
Other Meanings
There is no other record usage of EEUU.
Conversation Examples
Text Between Friends
- Friend 1: Hey! I haven’t seen you in forever! What are you up to?
- Friend 2: Work which has me crossing the border practically every day.
- Friend 1: From Mexico to EEUU?
- Friend 2: Yeah. It’s a pain but my company decided to move its offices North but not relocate us..
- Friend 1: That sucks, man. Is the border as bad as I hear?
- Friend 2: Yes and no. So long as you’re not smuggling drugs and just have to get to work they’ll let you through. I got searched one time but that’s it.
- Friend 1: The EEUU sure has a stupid border law.
- Friend 2: Yeah, but I’m just happy I can cross and not be shot at. Lol.
Angry Twitter Post
What’s the deal with people living in the EEUU calling themselves “Americans”? I know “United States Citizen” doesn’t roll off the tongue but if you go around calling yourself an American do I count as an American? I live in Mexico, same continent as you guys. Stop hogging the spotlight! #StopEEUU #AmericaIsAContinent
Other Ways to Say the Slang Word
EUA is another abbreviation used, standing for “Estados Unidos America”, translated from Spanish meaning “United States of America”. EUA more popular slang for the United States.
EEUU Meaning Infographic
The adjective “American” to describe nationals of the United States is a long-established English language custom, as is describing things that originate from the United States. This custom also exists in other languages. The name, United States of America, has the name “America ” within it, whereas no nation in Europe incorporates the continental name into it. This is why native English speakers use the term “American” in this way. “America” by itself is synonymous with the United States in English, and to refer to America as a continent in English is incorrect and would cause confusion. In English, the word “American” rarely refers to topics or subjects not directly connected with the United States. In English, there are two continents, North America and South America, with the region of Central America being a part of the continent of North America. North and South America collectively are referred to as “the Americas”, with the Spanish, French, and Portuguese portions referred to as “Latin America”. To call someone from Canada or another country an “American” in English would not only cause confusion, but may cause offence! On the reverse, some Latin American countries (i.e. Brazil) refer to Americans as “North Americans”, which is also incorrect as North America consists of many different countries. This “increased tension” is being caused by a select few creating a problem where it doesn’t exist, and attempting to change an established linguistic custom for 450 million native English language speakers. Most citizens from other countries in the Americas would most likely not refer to themselves as “Americans” in either English or their language, but as Canadians, Mexicans, Brazilians, Hondurans, etc.. In English, this custom is unlikely to change, so we must learn to accept it.
Jay Sherry-Alves
Practitioner of ESOL, EFL, and MFL
It is not slang. It just is the proper way.