Talk:Saint Emeric of Hungary
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Some Hungarians love to tell how "America" is actually a Hungarian name. The story is that Stephen I of Hungary's son Imre (this one) was cannonized by a very grateful Pope (Stephen having Christianized the pesky Magyars) as Saint "Americus", after whom Amerigo Vespucci was named. Vespucci's parents' choice of this obscure name was, of course, trivial - as was his role in exploring the new world. Despite Vespucci's confirmed presence on at least one voyage, he was never a commander nor explorer but rather a touring passenger. He was extremely lucky to have an entire continent (or two) named after him. Still, it is established that etymology of "America" routes through him, back to Imre, i.e. via two very precarious but bona fide connections. Had Koppany defeated Istvan, or if Imre were instead born a girl, perhaps America would instead be known as Colombia, Balboana, or maybe even Pizzaro-land. Istvan 20:09, 8 March 2006 (UTC)
LOL! That's fantastic! :) K. Lastochka 20:09, 13 November 2006 (UTC)
- Wasn't it in Moonstruck that said "America is an Italian country. It was discovered by one Italian and named after another" or something like that? Probably not, because I seem to remember Kevin Kline saying it. Or, as they sing in Firesign Theatre, "God Bless Vespuccica" Gzuckier 21:31, 13 November 2006 (UTC)
Yeah, but it was named after an Italian who was named after a Hungarian... :) K. Lastochka 04:13, 14 November 2006 (UTC)