Why are people considered vegetarians and not herbivores?

Question

Why are people considered vegetarians and not herbivores?

Answer 1

Herbivore sounds so "technical." We probably do it to differentiate ourselves from non-sapient life?

Answer 2

Humans choose what to eat and what not to.  Therefore, vegetarians are that way by choice.  Herbivores cannot make that choice because they have evolved in such a way that eating meat is impossible/not beneficial.  Thus the distinction.

Answer 3

Because we're still omnivores. "Herbivore" refers to organisms that biologically eat only plants.

"Vegetarian" refers to a human being who has chosen not to eat meat. They're still *capable* of eating meat, and if lost on a desert island, many would consider doing so again.  

Answer 4

Omnivore, herbivore and carnivore are biological classifications based on what an animal is capable of eating and/or needs to eat to survive.  The fact that most humans eat both plant and animal foods backs up the fact that, biologically, we are omnivores.

We can *choose* to eat like an herbivore, but it doesn't change our biology.  The term vegetarian refers to the choice to eat a plant-based diet, versus herbivore referring to the biological imperative to eat a plant-based diet.

Answer 5

Because "vegetarian" is a made up word that somewhat equates itself to a calling or religion.  Herbivore sounds more base like a dumb animal.

Answer 6

Because vegetarians are omnivores who choose to eat plants only. Herbivores eat plants because that's what they were designed to do. Most herbivores cannot digest meat.

Answer 7

because normally when you think of herbivore you think like only vegetables. But vegetarians have eggs and dairy and all that which aren't herbs.

Answer 8

Because herbivores are animals who're meant to eat plants and roots by birth-environment-behavioral-nesting-bre... patterns. They don't and never will have another animal.

Humans, being a highly-developed species, have a choice to choose between being herbivores and carnivores. So we're naturally omnivores, and carnies or herbies "by choice".

Answer 9

We are also herbivores....I smoke herb....I am a HERBavore