'Merica

American  

[mer-i-kuh] / ˈmɛr ɪ kə /

Also 'Murica, or Merica

noun

Informal.

1. contraction of America (often used humorously to suggest either a sarcastic or patriotic sentiment).

   Wage earners here in ’Merica are no better off.

   Can’t wait to get back to ’Merica!

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Etymology

Origin of 'Merica

First recorded in 1800–05 ; by loss of initial, unaccented syllable of America ( def. ) (in the sense “United States of America”)

Example Sentences

“A Working Man” molds the Levon character to Statham, making him a British soldier and tilting the book’s axis of evil away from “ ‘Merica good, everyone else bad.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

While arguments about whether it should be ‘Merica or ‘Murica might lead to fisticuffs in some quarters, a dominant spelling of the even the most outlandish spoken phrases typically rises above the rest, she adds.

From Time • Sep. 12, 2016

"Bawst'n, 'Merica, 's where she's bound this v'y'ge, Mister, an' ef she did it in twenty days I shouldn' be a bit s'prised, not a bit, I shouldn'."

From Maid of the Mist by Oxenham, John

They say there's bands of people up north who keep on with it and people in Germany and China and 'Merica and places.

From The War in the Air by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

The play wot come on the staige for the furst time in 'Merica was 'ntitled 'Hosiery Henryettur, or A Boom in Fancy Goods.'

From The Bad Boy At Home And His Experiences In Trying To Become An Editor - 1885 by Victor, Metta Victoria Fuller