I know the name of the country has the word "America" in it, but why do they think no one else can be called an American?
2007-06-28 12:50:31 · 22 answers · asked by shampoomaker 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Well, this question has been asked here a bunch of times. I see it answered a bunch of ways...but let me answer it correctly for you.
Speaking as an (American)...citizen of the United States of America, we don't really think about the name of our continent so much when we speak of ourselves. The name of our county is The United States of America but it would be too awkward to call ourselve United Statesians...so whe just use that other word in our country's name (America) and we end up with a nicer word. Unfortunately...we don't ever think about the confusion this causes around the world. We realize that WE refer to all of the people of ALL of the countries of Europe as Europeans regardless of what country they're from. Calling someone a European doesn't tell you if they English or Austrian...you'd have to actually call them English or Austrian to be that specific. The same thing goes for Aftricans, and Asians...Those words just tell us what continent they're from. We would have to say Egyptians or South Africans, or Chinese to be specific enough. So, to be technical about it...when everyone else on the planet says "Americans" that term is just as generic. It simply means people from the and that stretches fromt he tip of South America to the north pole. We US citizens never realize this. America is the land that got in Columbus's (or the vikings) way on the trip from Europe to Asia...not just the 50 states of the United States. But, I've heard people from the US say that Canadians and Mexicans are not Americans...which is like the French saying that Germans and Italians are not Europeans. Makes no sense and is quite ignorant...but then again..our public schools have serious issues.
The only other thing that could be screwing people up is that the word America is actually in the name of the US, whereas Europe is not in the name of say England or France...but still, that doesn't change the name of the American continents.
Another thing most people here in the US don't realize is that Mexico is officially named "The United States of Mexico"...so technically we shouldn't say that we're fromt he US either. Don't believe me? Look it up!
We call ourselves Americans..because 1. it's easier to say, and 2. We're a little closed minded.
2007-06-28 13:05:10 · answer #1 · answered by rubeninfl 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because the The country "The United States Of America" is in the Continent of North America.
Therefore the people who live in The United States are called, "Americans"......
2007-06-28 21:51:59 · answer #2 · answered by Bethie123 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We don't necessarily think no one else can be American. Technically anyone on the Americas could, but it's just a traditional thing here, not meant as insulting. If you lived in Europe you could be European, or more specifically France, then you'd be French.
But in the United States of America it's kinda hard to be a United States of American, or United Statesian, it just is much easier to say, and sounds better, American.
But it's further divided into the states too, for instance I'm a Montanan and a Nevadan since I've lived in both.
It's just something we do.
2007-06-28 19:56:48 · answer #3 · answered by Alex D 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Because the United States is in America.
2007-06-28 19:55:27 · answer #4 · answered by Vida 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm all for people calling themselves whatever they wish. I am Proud to be an American.. from the USA! If you choose to move to the United States of America and don't want to pay taxes and live off mine.. well then.. I have another word for you.
2007-06-28 19:56:17 · answer #5 · answered by LawComm 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm... Perhaps because "The United States of America" is the name of our country.. and we shorten it to Americans...
Mexico is not normally called "Mexico of America", nor is Canada normally called "Canada of America".. or at least not that I have ever heard from the natives of those countries...
I don't really recall any other American country having "America" in the name.. perhaps there is a new country that I am unaware of?
2007-06-28 19:58:27 · answer #6 · answered by ♥Tom♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We call ourselves that because (1) we are in the Americas and (2) America is part of our actual name. And, actually.....the rest of the world calls us that, and has since we were established as a country. If they were speaking of Mexicans, Canadians, Venezuelans, etc....they did not call them Americans.....nor did the people of these countries call themselves American. So.....it just kinda ended up that way.
I don't mind folks calling themselves American if they aren't from the U.S. provided it is done with accurate context.
2007-06-28 20:10:58 · answer #7 · answered by kentuckygal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they're from The United States of America, and it's way too much trouble to say "I'm a United States of Americaner". BTW, similar in Mexico, officially The United States of Mexico, Pennsylvania (The Commonwealth of), Massachusetts (ditto), etc. etc.
2007-06-28 19:55:09 · answer #8 · answered by JimPettis 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Because it would sound stupid to say "I'm a United"...
Why do Mexicans call themselves such? Because it's the name of their country.
I don't care who calls themselves Americans. We do it because it's the United States of America... America is the name of the states combined.
Why do you have SUCH a problem with it? Who cares?
2007-06-28 19:56:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I've never said that. Everybody in North and South America can call themselves Americans with my blessings.
2007-06-28 19:52:59 · answer #10 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋