American ism (amerikanizm)

[ American ism did not begin within the last half century. The Century, XXVII. 678. 3. A custom, trait, or thing peculiar to America or Americans; in general, any distinctive characteristic of American life, thought, literature, etc. I hate this shallow American ism which hopes to get rich by credit, to get knowledge by raps on midnight tables, to learn the economy of the mind by phrenology, or skill without study. Emerson , Succe . Liable to amercement. Also written amercia ble.