Why do people from the united states call themselves Americans?

Question

American is someone from America in which Spanish speakers and people around the world refer to it as a giant continent stretching from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego I really hate that because people from USA argue that Mexicans, Canadians, Argentineans are not American.

Answer 1

Well, actually Mexico's official name in Spanish is "Estados Unidos Mexicanos," which translates to "United States of Mexico," or "United Mexican States." Traditionally, and in order to avoid ambiguity, the name Mexico has been used for many years. But that does not change the fact that Mexico is in America.

In my travels to Europe I found that most Europeans refer to anyone residing in any country in the Americas as living in America. See definition of American in the sources!

An American is by definition anyone from the Americas. The United States is the only country without an original name; thus its need to add the "of America" (belonging to America) part to the name. This is because other countries are also formed by the sum of their states, as in the case of Mexico.

Should we then call someone from Germany a European but not someone from Spain? No, because they are both Europeans. So someone from Argentina is as American as someone from the United States.

A little culture goes a long way!!!!

See sources:

Answer 2

We're no longer looking to insult the relaxation the men and women of the continents, there are truly historic factors why we are referred to as 'Americans.' When the US won independence from the UK, the relaxation of the New World was once nonetheless colonized and as a consequence they had been regarded 'Spanish,' 'French,' and many others. relying on their mom state. They decide upon the title 'United States of America' to exhibit their independence from the Old World. Whether right or no longer, American has been used considering the fact that colonial occasions to consult the English colonists after which the United States men and women. Although a few choice phrases had been advised, there are ordinarily awkward sounding in English or are not more specified. For instance, United Stateser sounds unusual and could also be complicated because the USA isn't the one 'usa,' ie. Estados Unidos Mexicanos. And on a part notice, Colombia additionally refers back to the complete New World (ie, after Christopher Columbus) and as a consequence the time period Colombians would be regarded offensive as everybody within the New World are truthfully 'Colombians.' But truly nobody contests the time period's utilization.

Answer 3

It's the United States of AMERICA so we're Americans. Now, you're correct that anyone living between Canada and Tierra del Fuego is living on the continent of America (North, Central, or South) but I think if you asked an Argentine if he wanted to be called an American he would say no. The same for people living in Canada or elsewhere on the continent.

Answer 4

That is a question I've been wondering. Why aren't the other contries considered American?

I believe it's because the USA has the word America in our name. Therefor, we call ourselves American. BUt in reality, any Mexican, Canadian or Argentinean coul call themself American because they live on the continent of America. Although you're usually classified by your country and not continent.

It just has to do with the fact that it's in our name, it's the like Mexico is 'The Mexico of America" if they where, they might be called Americans and we might be United Statians! =]

Answer 5

because we are the only country to have the word America in it. the others are cont unite not a country. Central America has several country in it same with South America. Even in North America one other country use America in it. We are the United States of America. So we are called Americans

Answer 6

EASY- It's called American Exceptionalism. Americans believe that they are better than the world. Even though there is North America, Central America, and South America, Americans call themselves Americans, because they believe they are better then everyone else. I am from the United States of America. And it took me a while to realize, why should God Bless America?? and not the world?

Answer 7

The standard way to refer to a citizen of the United States is as an American. Though United States is the formal adjective, American and U.S. are the most common adjectives used to refer to the country ("American values," "U.S. forces"). American is rarely used in English to refer to people not connected to the U.S. The prevailing use of American as synonymous with U.S. citizen has aroused controversy, particularly in Latin America, where Spanish and Portuguese speakers refer to themselves as "americanos" and use "estadounidense" to describe a person from the United States.

Answer 8

Because we are The United States of America. So, we are Americans. Mexicans, Canadians, and Argentinians are NOT Americans. Your definition of "American" is incorrect. There are two continents called North and South America. That does NOT mean all who live within those boundaries are Americans just because you and Spanish peoples around the world say so. Canadians DO NOT call themselves Americans, nor do Mexicans or Argentinians. Peace.

Chow!!

Answer 9

The name of the country is the United States of America so its not out of line to call yourself an American if you're from the USA. You're talking about two different contexts in which the word/title is being used.

Answer 10

America was named after an Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci. America and Americans comes from his name. He made a voyage to the Americas in the 15 th century.