Why do people in the U.S. refer to the EU as Europe and the U.S. as America?

Question

Why do people in the U.S. and the U.S. media refer to the EU as Europe and the U.S. as America? Europe and America are continents, not countries, and using those names instead of the correct ones is both incorrect, insulting to other countries in those continents (being excluded as if they don't exist or aren't important) and misleading for those who have little geography knowledge.

All the time I come across U.S. citizens who don't have a clue that there are more countries in Europe than the EU countries and who think that the EU is one country made out of many states like the United States.

And in the media "Europe" is sometimes used for the entire continent and sometimes for the EU only, which just confuses people and misleads them. I can usually tell by the content which one is being referred to, but people who don't know Europe that well can't.

Why don't you use the correct names for places and avoid those unnecessary confusions?

Answer 1

The full name for the US is The United States of America, so just saying America is understandable enough. I agree with you on the going to Europe aspect. Someone says, "I'm going to Europe," either next mentions the specific country or I'd have which country.

More accurate to say, "I'm going to France" or I'm going to Germany," because we know it's Europe. And saying "America" is well suited for indicating the United States, which is part of the North American hemisphere.

Answer 2

Concerning your question on the U.S.A., saying "America" is shorter and sensible. It's interchangeable with the United States because both are in the official name.
As for Europe, I'm aware that the European Union is made up of different countries, and that some countries aren't in the European Union, but they're still in Europe, and if they're offended by their own continent, it's not my fault.

Answer 3

It's actually a good question. Technically, a citizen of Canada is an American as is a citizen of Mexico because they live on the American continent. They are all Americans.

Answer 4

Well, we dominate North America, which was named for an Italian, by the way.

Besides we saved your sorry butts twice (so far) and we'll call you whatever we want.

Answer 5

Why cant you get over it ? no ~offence !