"America"
 

So, I have been thinking aboout this since I was about four years old, the U.S.A. has been calling themselfs "America", when, in fact, they are part of America, don't get me wrong, I like America, as I live in it.
But Canada is as much as America as the U.S.A., same as Mexico, and all of South America. So I would like to see you guys/gals appinion on this.

all the other countries have other names. We're the United States of America.

what would we call our people if not Americans? USAers? USAians? United Statesians?

see? its a pratical problem.

Meh, just because we are a bunch of lazy people that can't think of a better name for our country.

we could call ourselves Central North America. or Central North Western World.

or maybe "pwnz0rz of teh globe".

We could just call ourselves, "United".

Mexico is the United States of Mexico, you don't get on their case about calling themselves Mexicans.

Yeah! All countries that have funky names should be banned! War! I mean, the "People's Republic of China" and the "Republic of China?" Redundant names! Clearly, the United Nations should enact legislation to fix this dire situation.

Somehow I don't see it happening.

In a more practical sense, I'm thinking the term probably arose during the Colonial era. After all, back then Canada, America, and most of the rest were colonies of the assorted European empires. As far as I know, the whole "new world" region could probably have been correctly called "America." I suppose when the colonists rebelled, they needed somethings to call themselves; they couldn't very well call themselves "British colonians," could they? That's guesswork, but it seems to me like decent guesswork.

Then there's also the issue of "United States" being a singular noun -- as far as I know, Lincoln started that during the Civil War to emphasize the concept of unity (and federalism, but meh).

The whole "new world" region is called America. That's why this thread was started in the first place. America is the name of the continent, so Canadians and Mexicans are just as "American" as Americans are. But, as DarthZeth said, what else are Americans supposed to call themselves? Besides, it's not like anyone else is in need of the name. If Canada were called "the United Provinces of America", then there may have been a problem. But it's not.

Yeah, I get tired of hearing this. It's a common bash anti-Americans use. "Why do people of the United States call themselves 'Americans?' It's clearly a sign of their arrogance in believing they're the only country on both continents! (Intercoursing) fatties! They have poisoned the honorable meaning of this word with their imperalist ways!"

It's no (cotton shirt). I see that a lot. c_c

I think the point was properly addressed, however. Our country's formal name is "United States of America," and from the start we referred to ourselves as "Americans." I don't think there was any sort of arrogance or ignorance implied like so many stick-up-their-arse anti-Americans claim. (I've actually seen some of them go so far as to say "I'm going to call those fatties 'United Statesers' from now on" over this BS)

Yeah, I know you're not bashing the U.S here Nicro, I'm just bringing up the people who do.

How many people like that do you know then? I think thats just stupid calling you "United Statesers". I have no problem off you being "Americans".