"the" before country name

[Your Name]

If "the" before a country's name is belittling, why is there not one single
American objecting to "the United States"?

Rosemarie

If dandelions were hard to grow, they  would be most welcome on any lawn.
~ Andrew Mason




**************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family
favorites at AOL Food.
(http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org