the Ugly American

Cultural  

1. Pejorative term for Americans traveling or living abroad who remain ignorant of local culture and judge everything by American standards. The term is taken from the title of a book by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer.

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Example Sentences

“I felt like I was the Ugly American in a foreign country,” Hurley told The Times, using the same I’m-the-victim excuse that Coronado High employed nearly three decades later.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2021

In another tale of the Ugly American, Hope Solo’s calling the Swedish soccer  team “cowards” was called into question by teammate Megan Rapinoe.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2016

All over the U.S. last week the "Ugly American" was being transformed into the "Articulate American"�a citizen trained to go overseas with brains, skill and understanding.

From Time Magazine Archive

When our image was that of "the Ugly American," we felt safe and strong.

From Time Magazine Archive

Earle T. Binckley Laguna Niguel, Calif. Contrary to what you say, the Ugly American is alive and well.

From Time Magazine Archive