Slang

Uncle Sam

This page is about the slang term Uncle Sam

Meaning

the U.S.A., the U.S. government

For example

  • Most of my students think Uncle Sam made a big mistake by invading Iraq.

  • Many people blamed Uncle Sam for the world economic recession.

Origin: first appeared in the early nineteenth century, possibly as a play on the initials "U.S."

Quick Quiz

If someone says Uncle Sam has too much power in the world, they are referring to

a. Europe

b. North America

c. the U.S.A.
a) Europe b) North America c) the U.S.A.

See Slang of the Day today

Contributor: Matt Errey