The spelling of the word "American Ostriches" can be broken down into its individual sounds using IPA phonetic transcription. It can be pronounced as /əˈmɛrɪkən/ for "American" and /ˈɒstrɪtʃ/ for "Ostriches". The "A" in "American" is pronounced with a schwa sound followed by the "mər" sound. The "O" in "Ostriches" is pronounced with a short "o" sound followed by a "str" consonant cluster and the "iches" ending pronounced with a "tʃ" sound.
American ostriches refer to a non-existent species of ostrich specifically used as a metaphor or figure of speech to symbolize individuals or groups in the United States who display willful ignorance or denial of certain facts or realities. The term is derived from the flightless bird native to Africa known as the ostrich, which is often associated with burying its head in the sand when faced with danger or threats. Just as the ostrich metaphorically avoids confronting reality by choosing to hide, American ostriches similarly choose to ignore or deny information that challenges their preconceived notions or beliefs.
The phrase "American ostriches" is typically invoked in conversations or discussions pertaining to politics, contentious issues, or social matters where people intentionally choose to disregard evidence, expert opinion, or alternative perspectives. These individuals exhibit a deliberate avoidance of uncomfortable truths or inconvenient facts, often due to personal biases, political ideologies, or fears of change.
The concept of American ostriches highlights the potential consequences of willful ignorance and the impact it can have on decision-making, public discourse, and society as a whole. By willfully burying their heads in the sand, these individuals hinder progress, hinder the search for solutions, and perpetuate misinformation or disinformation campaigns. Recognizing and challenging the tendency to behave as American ostriches is essential for fostering an informed, open-minded, and intellectually honest society.
The term "American Ostriches" does not have a specific etymology since it is a combination of two separate words.
1. American: The word American originates from the name of Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who explored the Americas in the 15th century. His name was Latinized to "Americus" and later anglicized to "America". Over time, "American" came to refer to the inhabitants, cultures, and languages of the Americas.
2. Ostriches: The word "ostrich" has a more straightforward etymology. It is derived from the Middle English word "ostriche" or "ostrich", which comes from Old French "ostruce" and ultimately from Late Latin "avis struthio", meaning "bird of the ostrich kind".