Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam, name used to designate the U.S. government. The term arose in the War of 1812 and seems at first to have been used derisively by those opposed to the war. Possibly it was an expansion of the letters "U.S." on uniforms and government property, but some sources attribute the origin of the term to Samuel Wilson (1766–1854) of Troy, N.Y. Wilson, whose nickname was Uncle Sam, was an inspector of army supplies. The "U.S." stamped on supplies was referred to as "Uncle Sam" by the workmen. Regardless of origin, the term found wide application and became permanent.

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Uncle Sam

Army recruiting poster featuring “Uncle Sam,” designed by James Montgomery Flagg, 1917.

(credit: The Bettmann Archive, Inc.)

Popular U.S. symbol, usually associated with a cartoon figure having long white hair and chin whiskers and dressed in a swallow-tailed coat, vest, tall hat, and striped trousers. The name probably originated with “Uncle Sam” Wilson, a businessman who provided beef to the army during the War of 1812. The “U.S.” stamp on his barrels, meant to indicate government property, came to be associated with his nickname, which in time came to symbolize the U.S. government. The Uncle Sam figure evolved in the hands of British and U.S. cartoonists; its most familiar treatment appeared on recruiting posters during World Wars I and II with the caption “I want you.”

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Uncle Sam See Wilson, Samuel.

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Uncle Sam

a personification of the government of the United States

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Uncle Sam

personifies people or government of the United States. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 870–871]

See : America

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Uncle Sam

personification of U.S. government. [Am. Folklore: Misc.]

See : Patriotism