What do you think the word "Flyover" means? You live in it now, they let you in so you're not flying over it. It's obviously derogatory, and even your link says it's derogatory. That'd be like me going to India, and then complaining "As an American living next to untouchables..."

Here's the relevant quote from the wikipedia that you're misusing:

> The origins of the phrases and the attitudes of their supposed users are a source of debate in American culture; the terms are often regarded as pejoratives, but are sometimes "reclaimed" and used defensively.[1]

So no, it is not "obviously derogatory", and the link does not say that.

The non-derogatory term for the same geographic area is "Middle America": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_America_(United_States)

I'd identify it as self deprecation as a form of social ingratiation, just have to be careful with that as self deprecation can go beyond the boundary of self.

That's a possibility. Here are other possibilities - the US resident who originally commented may have been:

- unaware of the phrase's derogatory meaning - aware, but relishing it, as they resent the state and don't like living there - aware, but they think the word has a useful non-derogatory use - aware, and has no strong opinion either way

All things which in reality would be legitimate in various circumstances. Speculating in the first place seems silly to me, and only started because one commenter apparently didn't like the idea of a non-US native having a negative opinion about the US so much that they are (pardon my bluntness) a bit overly sensitive on the issue.

His/her comment articulately justifies using it. And the context is relevant because Americans assume and observe differences off the coasts.

Flyover practically means “does not have a football team” and is just as derogatory as “college town” or “Bible belt”.