Americans?

Question

I want to know why people from the United States are called "americans" (I don't like this), when it is obvious that someone that is from Costa Rica, Bolivia or Canada are also americans (also living in the continent America).

Answer 1

It is a good question; I live in the US right now, and I sort of wonder that myself (whenever I write history essays, I can't ever bring myself to say "the Americans" instead of "the United States" when speaking about the country).

Perhaps it's because the only all-encompassing name we could think of was "America." Yes, there are a lot of other countries in the landmass that is America, but they have good and useful names (Canadians, Mexicans, Brazilians, Chileans, etc.). Though "United States" was apt, it isn't very practical (Stateians doesn't flow well).

It'd be nice to have a good term for the citizens of the United States, but so far, we haven't thought of one (sort of like spanish "estadounidense"). And of course there'll be the public backlash for something going against tradition if we come up with a better term than "Americans".

Now, the thing you must ask yourself. We can't call ourselves "Americans" because it offends other peoples of North and South America. But, can we really call ourselves "United Stateians" or something like that? Mexico's official name is "Estados Unidos Mexicanos"... Won't that be the same problem again?

Answer 2

In Spanish my teacher said that many people get frustrated because United States aren't the only Americans. There are North Americans, Canada and United States. There's Central America, Mexico. Then there's South America, I can't even name all those countries.
It gives someone a better understanding of where you're from. If a Canadian called themselves Americans then people normally assume that they're from the states, but if they call themselves Canadians it lets you know where in the Americas you live. It's not meant at all in an offensive way. I personally think that it also shows a little more patriotism. You could call yourself an American, but you'd have to be prepared to explain that you're from Brazil, or Bolivia, or Costa Rica, or wherever else.

Answer 3

Being American comes from the name of our country. Yes, people from Canada and Costa Rica as examples are from the Continent of North America and not the country. This would be like identifying someone from Germany or Italy as European and being similar. I believe they would disagree with that and are proud of their national heritage and not only their geographic one.

Be proud of where you are from.

Peace

Answer 4

because if it was not called America it would be called the united states without america which does not make sense.

Answer 5

I had a French-Canadian bring this to my attention. I do agree with you - in that sense, we are all "Americans." Global society has adopted the convention of calling people from the United States of American "Americans" instead of something like "United Statians." I doubt it will change any time soon.

Answer 6

It's probably the only thing we can be called. Unitedstatians?

Answer 7

Sweetie,
Our country is named "The United States of America".
Thus, Americans.
Canada = Canadians, etc.

We aren't just the "US", we are the "USA".

So sorry you don't like it. I will address Congress immediately.
Let me know what country you are from so I can decide if I like what they are called....Perhaps a change is in order there as well.

Answer 8

They should be called Usans

Answer 9

Because the US is the most influential.

Answer 10

A: you have to much time on your hands if this is your biggest problem!
Columbus discovered America... so, we are Americans. enough said.