A reader today asks the Christian Science Monitor‘s language columnist Ruth Walker if there’s a word for a person who admires American culture. What a great question! There are Anglophiles like me, and Francophiles and Italiophiles. There are masses of people around the world who adore our clothes, our music, our writers, our celebrities — heck, even our fast food! — and the best I can come up with is “You like us! You really like us! Why?”
Walker doesn’t have an answer for the reader, although she suggests “Ameriphile,” which to me sounds like a place where I can store my computer backups for the low monthly price of $9.99. “Ameri” has totally been co-opted by the capitalist machine. Hey, I’m not criticizing her. I couldn’t come up with anything better. But I’ll be checking the comments section at the CSM for the next few days to see what readers come up with.
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What a terrific idea for a blog, Diana! I love it. I’m not much of an anglophile, but I think I’d follow your wonderful prose to just about any subject matter.
You’re right; Ameriphile sounds too corporate, but is likely most appropriate. Wonder what the Japanese–who seem fascinated with us to the point of obsession –call themselves? Curious to see what others come up with.
Toni, thanks so much. You are too kind.
Hmm, what the Japanese call themselves? Or do you mean what they call us? People who are fascinated with Japanese culture are called Japanophiles, which rolls off the tongue nicely.
Forgive my convoluted ramblings in that first comment. What I meant was, I wonder what the Japanese who are fascinated with American culture call themselves?
I know there’s a Japanese expert (a Japanophile!) hanging out here. Maybe she can answer this.