51st state , is a humorous term in American politics that refers to ( talks about ) a land , which is not a part of USA , but is thought to be added to the United States , becoming the 51st state . Sometimes `` 51st state '' is said seriously ( about American Samoa or other territories ) . In Canada , `` the 51st state '' is an emotional trigger phrase generally used in such a way as to imply that if a certain political course is taken , Canada 's destiny will be to become `` the 51st state '' .