E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
United States.
The thirty-six states of North America composing the Federal Republic. Each state is represented in the Federal Congress by two senators, and a number of representatives proportionate to the number of inhabitants. The nickname of a United States man is “a Brother Jonathan,” and of the people in the aggregate “Brother Jonathan” (q.v.). Declared their independence July 4th, 1776.
