Why do I never hear the word Arabian any more?

When they say 'Arab', perhaps they mean people of Arabian descent, whereas saying 'Arabian' would refer to somebody from Saudi Arabia. The old Arabian empire spanned far across the continent, so many people are of Arabian descent, hence the term 'Arab', but not technically Arabian.

There is a nuance there that I believe some answerers here are missing. It's not a PC issue at all.

The two terms are not interchangeable. Proper usage depends on how you're using them in a sentence.

For instance:

"Arab Cleric" means a cleric who is an Arab, meaning that he could be from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, etc. Arab is a broad ethnic term applicable to many peoples in the Middle East, due to the former geographic reach of the Arab Empire.

"Arabian Cleric" would imply a cleric who is specifically from the Arabian Peninsula, meaning Saudi Arabia first and foremost, then Yemen, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, etc.

The term "Arabian" is still used today. For instance, you might say "the Arabian Peninsula", or "Arabian Horse", or "Arabian History", or "the Arabian Peoples", among others.

ARABIAN NIGHTS... hmmm hmmm hmm...

Interesting question... I guess it's like how Asians used to be called Orientals but it's now considered insensitive. I also agree with the above answer, Arabian sounds cooler. Same with American Indians (even though it's incorrect, it sounds prettier) instead of Native Americans

i love the word arabian for some reason i don't know why(sounds exotic to me). but when they say arabs i get a picture of poor people riding on camels in the dessert or sheiks having a biryani feast in the tent.

maybe you are right about that part "friendly phrasing"

I think when you use the term "Arabia" or "Arabian" you are referring to someone from the Arabian Peninsula (the Gulf). I think Arabia includes all of the Gulf States...Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen, Qatar, Oman, UAE, and Kuwait....it was all Arabia at one time.

I have positive historical images when I think "Arabia"....I think of the ancient times...I want to travel back in time. =)

For the same reason that you have to call a black person an African-American. People are sensitive about words, and pay more attention to that than intent.

Racists always need to look for more examples of racism to justify their hate of other people.

r u sure ?

no man I hear it every single day cuz arabian ppl all around the world

Similar to how it's no longer common to use the phrase "China man;" people say "Chinese man" instead. It's another PC restriction on speech.

Maybe people don't like using those word anymore!

they dont say it anyone in the media because its politically incorrect.