[Discussion] Why do we...

[~Ethereal~]

USA = United States of AMERICA.
Canada = Canada

I am not American and your faulty logic doesn't prove anything. We're both North American because of the continent we live in, but you're from America (USA) and I'm from Canada which doesn't share anything in terms of our country besides the borders between our countries.

I am more interested to go in Canada tbh...unless it's Hawaii.

 

[Multiply]

Calling people of U.S. Americans is an easy to way to define their nationality. If not Americans, what other suggestions you have?

Finally someone understand the nature of the question rather than dismissing it as 'stupid'.

My ultimate question is, why did we settle for Americans? Considering everyone else from the landmass can be called Americans, why did we settle for such a simple term that describes essentially everyone from this mass of earth(North and South America).

 

[Transcendence]

I am more interested to go in Canada tbh...unless it's Hawaii.

Hawaii <3

You would be welcomed here in Canada U_U

 

[lagala]

One of the reasons is that USA is a greedy country who always wanted to rules and imposes their systems to others. Then it depend where you live, not all countries call them "American" even if most of them do.It would be fair for others countries to adopt a name in order to distinguish them from others American countries.In my country some still call them "Americans" but also "Etats-uniens" which is used more and more.

There is not this problem with country like South Africa and Central African republic.

 

[Jazzy Stardust]

Well actually Canada was formed to increase autonomy from the British empire. Mexico was original Spanish territory then they broke free of independence and have worked on establishing that.

Though the continent has many countries the history of those countries uprising plays reason on it territorial bounds.

 

[Bronze]

Finally someone understand the nature of the question rather than dismissing it as 'stupid'.

My ultimate question is, why did we settle for Americans? Considering everyone else from the landmass can be called Americans, why did we settle for such a simple term that describes essentially everyone from this mass of earth(North and South America).

States California to New York and Texas to Florida and all other united together as one nation, leading the name of United States of America. And as I said, it makes easy to identify people from U.S. as Americans. It also happens in other countries in case you didn't know.

Eastern Asia would normally be called as Asians instead of Chinese or Japanese; Middle Eastern would be called an Arab instead of what country he/she is from.

You're over-thinking this.

 

[Pumpkin Ninja]

It's because the citizens of USA couldn't think of anything else to call themselves so they just took American. Nobody really cared and there you go. They are just names and nobody is really complaining about not being able to be called American so there's no need to think about it really.

 

[Venomous Cobra]

:wesobi:

You are American whether you want to be or not. What do you call people from North America? North American. What do you call people from the combined continents North and South America? Americans.

The continents were called the Americas before the country itself was even made. Therefore proving that the Country is named after the Americas, not anything else. Which means, If Mexico and Canada were to become two states of the same country, they would also be called United States of America. Why? Because they are two United States in America. I don't get how this concept is hard to grasp.

Americas -> North/South America -> Canada/Mexico/USA
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Your implication is that for some odd reason the term 'Americans' stops at Canada and Mexico simply because a group of states coined the term United States of America.

well you'll never hear anything like south Asian or Arabian Asian ,american is just american .

 

[Tyris]

Stupid question honestly.

Like why am i called a African American when im not African nor am i from there.

You want to know what both of those questions have in common? There both are stupid questions. ​

/This

We are all human... location and complexion is the product of D&C.. you shouldnt breathe if you think of yourself as more, less, or anything other than a Human being. The very concept of race(s) is ignorant & dumb af.

 

[V h o]

You don't really go off of the continent when naming people, you go by country.

Edit:

I mean how would call someone from south america? Brazilian or South american? Lol

 

[suki]

The country isn't called America. We are United group of states in North America. Hence, United States of America. Canadians are still Americans, they just are not part of our United States. America is the combined continents of North America and South America. Making anyone in between American.

Then that would mean you'd have to call people from the U.S. United Staters? I guess American should do xD

 

[Fodder#3]

Im a Canadian. It would be disgraceful for me to be called American. Now you ask why? North America is the continent. Canada is part of North America so is USA. If some one referred to me as North American; I m will not offended. South America is an other division of the Continent. USA people are called Americans because they are mostly located in between the two(Canada and southern South American countries). Also. USA=United States of America. Who in the world would wanna call them "United States of Americans"? People are lazy so we call them Americans.


Also, Lord Itachi Solos. He is the messiah of NV. He is the "Savior of the world[NV]"~Kages

 

[elitenoob94]

What kind of question is this?

Mexico, Canada, man, there are names for these people in these different countries, like Mexicans? Although people from the country of Mexico are called "Mexicanos"; and people from Canada are called "Canadians".

United States of America as its own country people being from that country are called "Americans", what kind of question is this? No offense Inanimated, though.

Then that would mean you'd have to call people from the U.S. United Staters? I guess American should do xD

Nope. United States of America = Americans.

 

[Chazzi]

Cuz 'Murica.

 

[Lightbringer]

The country isn't called America. We are United group of states in North America. Hence, United States of America. Canadians are still Americans, they just are not part of our United States. America is the combined continents of North America and South America. Making anyone in between American.



What I said to Transcendence.

America serves both as country and continent. Yes, we are located in North America, but Mexico is a country name and thus the citizens refer to themselves as Mexicans same as Canada and Canadians.

We are of America. The U.S.A. is made of states and each state has a separate name and government, but united, we have a common one....American and the federal government.

States can secede from the U.S. and become independent (this is still debated over). In the Civil War, there was illegal secession (Confederacy).

 

[Angelic.]

cause 'merica!

 

[Conspirator.]

Because me (as a Canadian) is not American and neither are Mexicans. It goes off country, not continent.

Precisely this.

 

[~WastelandSociety~]

North Americans.
East and west Americans.
South Americans.

They are all Americans but it's just more easier to label the people in the U.S as only Americans.

 

[BlacLord™]

You can be either North American or South American but that doesn't distinguish which country. I can see where you're coming from, but the word you're looking for is pan-American.

 

[paratise]

It became a general term stick to the language. United States of American sounds long af; and USA is the country which is mosy associated with the name America.