Why is it that people always say "American" when referring to the U.S.A, but not when referring to Canada..?

Question

Or any other American country. Look it up, a lot of countries are America. I'll List a few.

Canada

Chile

Argentina

Look at a map. The U.S.A isn't the only country in America. We are the United States of America. (note the OF!)

Answer 1

1. The USA is the only country with the word "America" in its name.

2. The USA is not the only "United States" in the world (there's "United States of Mexico" for example)

3. The USA was the first sovereign country in the Americas (the rest were still European colonies).

4. Those other people have names for themselves: Canadians, Chileans, Argentines, etc. None of them really care that they're not called Americans.

Answer 2

Ok, I take it this is a new discovery for you, that there are other countries in North and South America?  Well done, though I'm sure most people won't actually have to look this one up.

I would imagine the Canadians don't like being referred to as 'Americans' in case people get them confused with your lot.

Answer 3

I'll grant you that it's somewhat lazy shorthand, but then again, the United States of America does have "America" in the official name, while neither Canada nor Mexico do.  I suspect that's why.

Answer 4

That's a good point. Just something the world got used to saying i guess. if you're from south america or something, u would say south american. or like for canada is canadian. american sounds better then united statian. since its the only american country that can't have the ending right they just went with american.

Answer 5

So whould will call you lot United States of American or USAin what is your Demonym

What is the USA Demonym it can only be American yes we know it means two continents but they are either North American or South American so its known that if you say American you are talking about a person from the USA.

EDIT

So what Are you then

I ask you what is your nationality

Do you say you are an USA lol

Answer 6

not at all USA it means America, north America, no Canada no s. America ether.

Answer 7

Well actually... Yanks = United States (unless your inside the US then it's Yank = carpetbagger from the north),  North American is both US and Canada,   Canada is the Canuks.... and it appears that the Brits still refer to Yanks as "The Colonies" so I'm told. <Shrug> It should be pointed out tho that inside the US a Canuk is viewed as simply one of us and there is no real distinction made. It is OUTSIDE the US that people try to make this distinction. The people of the US and Canada are quite close as far as getting along together.

Answer 8

Hello,

Sometimes we're called North Americans just as others are called Europeans. Also, the big factor is saying United Statesian is rather awkward.

Cheers,

Michael Kelly