Discussion»Questions»Communication» Until today I had never heard the phrase "spread-eagle chauvinism". Have you? I think I know what it means and it ain't a compliment, right?
Spread-eagleism (n) Extravagant or bombastic praise of the United States; aggressive assertion of United States interests or claims; the attitude behind these; (hence) similar speech or feeling in respect of other nations. (The italics are mine).
Origin Mid 19th century; earliest use found in New York Herald. From spread eagle + ism, the bald eagle being the symbol of the United States of America.
Thanks for the info Sbf. So it SPECIFICALLY directed at the United States then and unique only with respect to them? Only the US is guilty of spread-eagleism? SIGH. :(
Other nations are guilty of it, but it's only referred to as "spread eagleism" when referring to the brand which is rampant in the land of the bald eagle. A couple of generations were indoctrinated with the Davy Crockett "his land is the biggest, his land is the best" nonsense and it's hard to shake. It's like Australia's "lucky country" stuff that was pushed down my throat as a kid - but there's so few of us being "ugly Australians" elsewhere that it doesn't annoy people quite so much. There's almost twenty Americans for every Aussie.
Which makes America a bigger target since there are so many more of us. SIGH. Well I appreciate that you didn't get ticked off at me for my reaction. I expect by now you know I say what I think and I don't parse words. We've weathered a few such "difficulties" and here we are still. I guess that's what friends do. Hang in there so thanks for hanging in there! :)
So the phrase is not unknown to you then Sharonna? It's brand-new to me. I have heard of American Exceptionalism of course and I expect that is also unique to us. Worse than that are the politically partisan rigid ideologues who shove their beliefs down everyone else's throats and up their derrieres if they can. They don't give a dam* or a rat's a** about the country. Just their political party. UGH. AARRGGHH! Thank you for your reply and Happy Monday! :)
Slartibartfast 