What is the difference between the usage of "Argentine" or "Argentinian"?

I’m certain they’re interchangeable.

However, ‘Argentine’ is a word I rarely hear in conversation. Yet I’ve seen it numerous times in novels and news reports. Apparently then ‘Argentine’ is more suited to print or the written language, and ‘Argentinian’/‘Argentinean’ to the spoken.

Why this could be I have no idea.

I don’t know if it’s right but I’ve always used and heard it used as if some thing was of Argentine origin, like an Argentine pottery collection by an Argentinian artist. Or something. :P

@asmonet

That could be too. It makes me think of the catachresis my father always commits in calling Asian people ‘Orientals’.

My wife, whose from Argentina, tells me Argentine is correct.

she also suggests I smack anyone who says “Argentinian”.

I thought it was similar to Oriental vs. Asian; Argentine things, Argentinian people. But I guess @cprevite throws that idea out of the water.

According to Wikipedia, the three accepted demonyms for people from Argentina are “Argentine, Argentinian, Argentinean”.

“accepted” by whom? ;^)

They’re both equally correct. I’ve had Argentines and Argentinians say both words to me numerous times.

‘Argentinian’ is one of those words that has been used so often that the publishers of dictionaries feel obliged to include it as a word. It’s an example of usage trumping correctness. The correct word has always been Argentine. I have never heard an Argentino call themselves an Argentinio, even though that is linguistically possible. In the end, it all comes down to style, preference and nationality (UK subjects will probably use Argentinian). My personal opinion is that Argentine is a more elegant word, in addition to being the most correct usage, and it is the only one of the three possibilities that I would use.

@wordy1: Well said; agreed.

i live in argentina and my pops is from here and my mom from new york…. they both speak both languages…. worrd… wordy!! well said

I have also heard Argentina referred (more in the past) as “The Argentine”.