By definition it should refer to those who are from or trace their ancestry to India, but is also commonly used in the U.S. and Canada to refer to indigenous/native peoples of North America.
The term is commonly thought to have begun with the misconception by Christopher Columbus that the Caribbean islands were the islands of the Indian Ocean (known to Europeans as the Indies) which he had hoped to reach by sailing west across the Atlantic. Even though Columbus’ mistake was soon recognized, the name stuck and for centuries the native people of the Americans were collectively called Indians.
American Indian is the most common and politically correct modern term for indigenous American peoples, particularly in legal/official language. “Indian” or “Indian American” can connote people from or who trace their heritage to India, however "Indian" is still widely used to refer to natives, particularly in contexts where it is unlikely to be confused with people from India. In general, native people prefer the term American Indian to Native American, though the latter is in common use and the terms are basically interchangeable. “Indian” is a rather collective term that disregards the cultural/geographical diversity of the peoples it refers to, thus the best descriptor is to refer to specific tribes by their tribe name (e.g. “he is Cherokee”).
In Canada, where East Indians outnumber those of aboriginal ancestry, the term First Nation is commonly used.
The term is commonly thought to have begun with the misconception by Christopher Columbus that the Caribbean islands were the islands of the Indian Ocean (known to Europeans as the Indies) which he had hoped to reach by sailing west across the Atlantic. Even though Columbus’ mistake was soon recognized, the name stuck and for centuries the native people of the Americans were collectively called Indians.
American Indian is the most common and politically correct modern term for indigenous American peoples, particularly in legal/official language. “Indian” or “Indian American” can connote people from or who trace their heritage to India, however "Indian" is still widely used to refer to natives, particularly in contexts where it is unlikely to be confused with people from India. In general, native people prefer the term American Indian to Native American, though the latter is in common use and the terms are basically interchangeable. “Indian” is a rather collective term that disregards the cultural/geographical diversity of the peoples it refers to, thus the best descriptor is to refer to specific tribes by their tribe name (e.g. “he is Cherokee”).
In Canada, where East Indians outnumber those of aboriginal ancestry, the term First Nation is commonly used.
by PCone November 14, 2009
Indian: *looking at the natural numbers listed* One, two, three, four....(Pause)
But none of those are the amounts I want to pay.
Draws a circle. Lets call this 'Jheero'
Another Indian: Its beautiful.
But none of those are the amounts I want to pay.
Draws a circle. Lets call this 'Jheero'
Another Indian: Its beautiful.
by pravictor September 14, 2009
by White Guy. November 03, 2020
You have reached Microsoft customer service, how may I help you?
- I know your Indian but please speak English
- I know your Indian but please speak English
by bbooaatt June 27, 2011
by meghans lover March 21, 2021
Descriptive term used interchangably until recently to describe two different groups of people:
1) East Indians; origin of India
2) Native Americans; origin of North America.
While Indian is still an apt descriptive term of those who hail from the country India it is best avoided when used to refer to those who originated in North America. Some consider it to be politically incorrect but the bigger issue is probably the tendency for misunderstanding and confusion in our modern global society.
1) East Indians; origin of India
2) Native Americans; origin of North America.
While Indian is still an apt descriptive term of those who hail from the country India it is best avoided when used to refer to those who originated in North America. Some consider it to be politically incorrect but the bigger issue is probably the tendency for misunderstanding and confusion in our modern global society.
by Erin French August 02, 2005
People of the country of India. Have Beautiful people (especially North India), culture and has every major religion in the world. It is Home to Hinduism, Sikhism and is home to the 2nd largest Muslim population in the world wit over a 170 million Muslims! The North Indians have Aryan blood in them causing them to have lighter skin, hair, and look Persian-ish however there are dark ones too. Dravidian's are a different type of Indians from South India, they are dark skinned, haired but there are light ones. Central India (Gujarat, etc)is where people have mixed Dravidian and Aryan Blood within them but look more Persian as well. People!! We Indians need to stop being so snobbish and posting how wealthy we supposedly are, sure that may be true, however no one cares about your finances! People would rather hear about our culture than our economy, not saying that its not important! India has many different languages, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi.
India and Pakistan Zindabad!
My favorite Indian languages are Hindi and Urdu because they sound great and are extremely simialar
My favorite Indian languages are Hindi and Urdu because they sound great and are extremely simialar
by Jahan July 21, 2007