Talk:America (disambiguation)

It's sad, a country with no name.

It's no wonder where the "of America" part of the United States of America came from, the continent America. As that was the only use for the word America before the U.S of A was a country. There are other countries that are "United States" all of which state the name of the country they are, like Venezuela. The fact that the US instead of using a new name for a new country just used the name of the continent as it's own is just wrong. You may say all you want that America and The Americas (The Americas has never been the name of the continent, historically it has always been America, search Matthias Ringmann in Wikipedia) are soooo different and clearly one has nothing to do with the other but it's just too obvious. Every country in America could have the "of America" in it's name like Mexico of America or Colombia of America but that is not the way countries are named and if they do not have it that doesn't make them less American.

And that stupid excuse that North America is a continent and South America is a continent but America is not. By that stupid logic then as there is a North Asia and a South Asia then Asia should not be a continent and that applies to every single continent.

The fact that you can't even call the northern side of your country "North America" because then you would have to come up with a way to say "North America" is not a continent but the north side of your nation, that the continent should be called North "The Americas". You instead use Northern United States of America because believe it or not in fact your countries name is United States (US) because everybody (who are not from the US and some British people) understands the "of America" as in being a part of the continent.

The only reason English speaking people are a-ok with calling you Americans is because it's easier for them and they are not part of America so most of them don't care at all. And that is why there are no United States of Europe or Asia or Africa. Because those are the names of continents and when you claim them for your own you will get those reactions from people who feel is their right to be called Americans or Africans or Europeans as they are part of the continent of that same name. But you won't understand that is not the fact that you call yourselves Americans that bother others, is the fact that you want to deny that they are Americans too and want to label them as you like just because of your stupid pride taking a word that means something for many countries and wanting to claim it for your own.

That is why you are the only country in the world that has it's "name" search in Wikipedia come up with a disambiguation. Unless you search your true name, United States which goes straight to US of A, but really should also go to a disambiguation as there are many United States in the world. 83.39.80.34 (talk) 14:06, 15 November 2013 (UTC)ggcc

Everybody knows what America means

In the English language in modern times, "America" doesn't refer to anything but the United States, and I got about 300,000,000 sources to back me up on that, and the opposition has got ZERO. None. Nada. Zip. Bupkus. Nothing. Nobody can cite me one single source in the past 100 years of somebody, anybody, in any country, while speaking English, saying "America" and meaning anything but the United States.

So let's take a vote: 300,000,000 - 0 in favor of "America" defaulting to United States

That's kind of lopsided, isn't it? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.164.161.151 (talk) 05:49, 7 November 2013 (UTC)

Obviously refers to the United States

The usage of "America" to refer exclusively to the United States is so obvious and omnipresent, the only possible reason to oppose it is pure and simple anti-Americanism. It is only in the last 10 years that the ridiculous objection to the use of "America" as meaning "The United States" has even arisen.

I challenge anyone to find a reasonably popular English-Language source that actually uses the word "America" to refer to something other than the United States. And I want a source that actually uses it in an article, not simply a dictionary or encyclopaedia that brings about every obscure or imaginary use of every word.

If you were from Brazil, would you say "I'm from America"? No. If you were from Canada, would you say "I'm from America?" No. Can anyone even come up with a rational English sentence that uses "America" in any capacity other than "The United States"? And would that sentence convey its intended meaning to *any* reasonable reader? No, I don't think it would.

Obviously there's a lot of sentiment against it, but it's more an indicator of the profound anti-American bias in Wikipedia editors than any sort of reality. The longer things stay this way, the longer Wikipedia looks idiotic, and the more obvious the anti-American bias becomes. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sephalon1 (talk • contribs) 05:09, 4 December 2011 (UTC)

I will reiterate this. Under no circumstance does anyone who speaks English natively use the word America to describe the North American and South American continent. Nobody who uses the English language natively used the term American to refer to anyone other than a citizen of the United States. What is so hard about that? So can I go on the Spanish wikipedia and complain that you do not get to word something this or that way? No. You can't object to a language. The neutrality of this crap is severely in question here. Someone flag neutrality again. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.217.47.249 (talk) 04:33, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

Wikpiedia's of all languages are supposed to reflect a worldview. No one nationality owns a wikipedia and gets to suppress dissenting views just because it happens to be the largest speaker of some language (a language it didn't even originate, yet somehow feels a right to). Go be an ugly american elsewhere.65.0.96.247 (talk) 01:14, 22 July 2012 (UTC)

This is the English Wikipedia. Egypt is not called Egypt in Arabic or Egyptian, Japan is not called Japan in Japanese. We might as well change everything here to Mandarin since that's what most people speak! --Aizuku (talk) 02:10, 7 June 2013 (UTC)

I have to agree with the 2 comments above. This page should be moved to America (disambiguation) and "America" should redirect to United States. Rreagan007 (talk) 05:19, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

I never refer to the USA as America and I cringe whenever I encounter other people doing it. Not everyone is like you all say (WP Editor 2011 (talk) 07:27, 12 March 2012 (UTC))

You are not a reliable source. - SudoGhost 12:32, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

If you'd like some examples of English-language sources that actually use the word "America" to refer to something other than the United States, do a Google Books search for the phrase "Columbus discovered America". Deor (talk) 12:51, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

The argument isn't that "America" is never used to refer to anything other than the United States, it's that the overwhelming number of English speakers use "America" almost exclusively to refer to the United States. Rreagan007 (talk) 15:39, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

To determine primary topic, the issue is, "What are readers looking for when they type in "America" as a search term?" This is something you can check by googling America -wikipedia. Kauffner (talk) 16:00, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

(edit conflict) We don't know what someone entering "America" in the search box might be looking for, and it seems a slightly odd way to search if one is looking for information about the United States. If someone is trying to find information about America (John Fahey album), for instance, this dab page will help them more than a redirect to United States. Deor (talk) 16:06, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

"We don't know"? That makes it sound like it's some kind of deep mystery that needs to be pondered. We have the technology. Check the link I gave. No, they aren't looking for the John Fahey album. But quite a few are apparently looking for "America, f*** yeah!" The top two results may be boosted by their URLs. Result No. 3 is the Lonely Planet guide for the U.S. This DAB is set up assuming that the word refers to the countries in North and South America other than the U.S., but this topic does not appear in the Google results. Kauffner (talk) 16:34, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

I can even drop this if the article put The United States as the first selection and mentioned the obvious truth such as.. America, referred to the United States by English speaking peoples or something. Point is, a lot of non-native english speakers putting in their two sense here and this is why this discussion is even here. If left to the people of the UK, America and Canada and so on it would automatically redirect to the USA article. Which is not a neutral way of attempting to relay fact. I guess the Welsh have to call it Wales now because most of us don't call it Cmyru. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.217.41.239 (talk) 12:58, 16 March 2012 (UTC)

Speak for yourself.65.0.96.247 (talk) 01:17, 22 July 2012 (UTC)

I challenge anyone to find a reasonably popular English-Language source that actually uses the word "America" to refer to something other than the United States
In the sentence "South America" (e.g. "Bolivia is the highest and most isolated country in South America" [1], BBC) the word America does not refer to the United States. Fridek (talk) 18:32, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

That's because "America" and "South Amercia" have different meanings. The challenge refers to "America" used by itself. Try harder. - BilCat (talk) 20:06, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

I'm from America and I live in Chile. USA is not America. Fitmoos --186.107.109.247 (talk) 15:38, 13 May 2013 (UTC)

This is none sense! America means America. Chile is not America, it is Chile. When did this none sense start, I've only noticed people doing it 2 years ago. --Aizuku (talk) 02:05, 7 June 2013 (UTC)

Your comment is the nonsensical one. Get over your pompous nationalism, USA doesn't own the term any more than any other country located in the American continent. - 186.124.178.12 (talk) 13:47, 4 July 2013 (UTC)

Second attempt I challenge anyone to find a reasonably popular English-Language source that actually uses the word "America" to refer to something other than the United States
In the article Ancient America - The Aztec, the Maya, the Inca the word America does not refer to the United States. Fridek (talk) 21:23, 20 August 2013 (UTC)

If "America" means the United States... then "South America" means "South of the United States". Actually... South America means "Southern part of the American continent" and United States of America means "States that are united in the American continent"--181.64.70.45 (talk) 08:30, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

What confuses me is this whole "United States" thing. I live in America, not the United States. Why do people keep referring to my country as "the United States"? The United States are south of the Rio Grande. I live up north. I've visited the United States, but I've never lived there. Anyway, the United States are just a subset of Mexico anyway. The "United States of Mexico" means those states that are united within Mexico, and doesn't include places like Nevada, California, or Arizona. So I wish the people of the United States would stop calling their country "Mexico". Mexico is larger than just the United States. Readin (talk) 04:33, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

Even worse, I've heard there's a move within the United States of Mexico to change their official name to just "Mexico", further insulting Mexicans who don't live in or aren't from that country. It should be changed to the country's correct name, New Spain. - BilCat (talk) 09:24, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

Hey, haven't you heard of those people outside the United States of Mexico, people that that don't even live there, and that still call the whole thing just "Mexico"? How preposterous. Diego (talk) 09:33, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

Yes, it is preposterous. But language is like that. So when you hear someone not from United States of Mexico call it "Mexico", be sure to correct them. Tell them that people born in New Mexico, Nevada, California, or Arizona are Mexicans too! - BilCat (talk) 09:55, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

I'd rather remind them how there are two groups of people with two different usages of language, and that it's impolite to tell either of them that they're using their native language wrong, and the other way is the only correct one. Diego (talk) 10:08, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

BilCat, I guess you're being facetious, but in reality there's a slightly better chance it will someday return to being called "Meshica" than to "New Spain". Til Eulenspiegel /talk/ 15:56, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

I must disagree with your sentiment. As an Australian and a native speaker of English, "America" refers to the entire continent (e.g. Argentina is a country in America). Though I don't deny that some people use "America" to refer to the USA, not unlike how they also use the terms "England", "Britain" and "The UK" interchangeably, this does not make it geographically correct. Octopus Gardener (talk) 06:23, 28 October 2013 (UTC)

And Australia and New Zealand are both in the continent of Oceania. - BilCat (talk) 07:30, 28 October 2013 (UTC)

Octopus Gardener, as an Australian, you may perhaps be familiar with a publication called the Sydney Morning Herald. They published an article in the past few days with the headline "In America, even the zoo elephants get extra helping". In case there is any doubt as to what they meant by "America", the second sentence quotes an employee of the Toledo Zoo saying, "Look at what percentage of the US population is currently obese." Evidently there are native English speakers in Australia who understand the word "America" differently than you do. --R'n'B (call me Russ) 14:06, 28 October 2013 (UTC)

Untitled

In the English language, "America" always refers to the United States of America. North America and South America are together referred to as "The Americas". People from the United States of America are referred to as "Americans". This is true amongst all native English speakers all over the world.

Seriously, people. I don't like calling myself a "United Statesian" in Español, but I do it anyway because that's how you say "American" en Español. "America" has exactly ONE meaning in ENGLISH (not Español, not Alemán, not 中国的, not العربية, not Kijomba, ENGLISH). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.164.161.151 (talk) 07:09, 28 September 2013 (UTC)

another unsigned IP rant

America is not a "country" it's a Continent. The problem is that the USA doesn't have a real name, it's more of a reference to an "action". The union of states that derived in the formation of the country known as The United States of America. Since the citizens need a term, and to be called United Statian sounds weird, the term "American" is frequently used to refer to the people born in the United States. The truth is that a Mexican, a Canadian, a Venezuelan, et al. are as American since they are also part of the continental America. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.181.190.161 (talk) 02:06, 8 October 2013 (UTC) How can a Mexican from Mexico call himself American? He would have to be an American citizen and live in America, which he does not as Mexicans are citizens of Mexico and not America. Latin Americans need to stop imposing on our culture and language.

>America is not a "country" it's a Continent

"America" is not a continent. You must be referring to "The Americas", which are two continents: North America and South America. (En Español: Norte America y Surte America). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.164.161.151 (talk) 04:58, 13 October 2013 (UTC)

Perhaps if I put it this way, in a language you understand: En Español, Los Estados Unidos son una pais en America (una continente). En Englais, Los Estados Unidos son "The United States of America" o "The United States" o "America" - todos de los formas son corecto en la idioma Englais, que es diferente del Español porque son diferente idiomas.

Now stop telling me that the language I speak is "wrong". — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.164.161.151 (talk) 05:08, 13 October 2013 (UTC)

It actually IS wrong if you are from the US but that won't stop you from writing Color instead of Colour would it? Because that is how it has been told to you and every other notion is not even worthy of consideration. 83.39.80.34 (talk) 14:47, 15 November 2013 (UTC)ggcc

When Iranians cry "DEATH TO AMERICA!" outside the old US Embassy site in Tehran, do you think they're talking about the Americas or the United States of America? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.164.161.151 (talk) 17:15, 4 November 2013 (UTC)

FAQ?

I think this page needs an FAQ. Since many non-British/Irish/Oceanian editors are not reading past discussions, and therefore assuming nobody calls the continent 'America' in English, it would be useful to inform them they are wrong. Rob (talk) 12:09, 28 October 2013 (UTC)

Show me proof. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.164.161.151 (talk) 18:18, 31 October 2013 (UTC)

Do you also want proof that the sky is blue? Well Wikipedia doesn't. Rob (talk) 18:07, 4 November 2013 (UTC)

Ahahaha you don't have any proof

No one "calls the continent 'America' in English" because America isn't a continent in English. - BilCat (talk) 20:22, 4 November 2013 (UTC)

To Brits, there is a continent called 'America'. All British editors agree with this, and obviously, only their opinions matter as they are the only people who can make a accurate judgement on this without sources. Unless you can provide a source that states this is not the case, then as per common sense, the statement stands. Using WP:NOR to object, is using Wikipedia policies to prevent something being included that is obviously accurate, which as per WP:IAR, is not advised. Rob (talk) 00:50, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

"All British editos agree with this" is obviously an overreach. Here in Cambs, we scorn on using the dictionary from the other place, so find the dictionary definition of "The Americas" to be "North America and South America, taken together"[2]. Old Brits who still dream of the Empire use the archaic sense, but I don't think I've ever seen a Brit under 50 say America when they meant the Americas. WilyD 08:43, 7 November 2013 (UTC)

Indeed, and what "all British editors" agree with is irrelevant anyways, it's what reliable sources use that matter. This isn't anything new from Rob, he's still using this "I speak for everyone that's British" fallacy, despite being shown multiple British sources that use America to refer solely to the United States and the Americas to refer to the continent, shooting a hole in his theory that he speaks for everyone in Great Britain. I'm certainly not suggesting that sources only use America to refer to the country, but Rob's suggestion that it's only his way that's right (and only his opinion that matters) is nowhere close to accurate. - Aoidh (talk) 08:53, 7 November 2013 (UTC)

"Unless you can provide a source that states this is not the case"

Here you go:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2004/09_september/alistair_cooke.shtml

 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.164.161.151 (talk) 23:48, 5 November 2013 (UTC) 

Is that supposed to be sarcasm? It's hard to tell, as I've encoutered the "only the opinions of Brits matters" attitude in many Brits before. - BilCat (talk) 01:01, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

Well, the British DID invent English, so their version of English is the correct one. Same goes for European Spanish and Mexican Spanish. Don't tell me you don't need to conjugate "vosotros", you lazy hicks.

And they were dead serious. And most of them are dead, too. - BilCat (talk) 01:03, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

Or if not dead, no longer editing on WP. - BilCat (talk) 01:06, 5 November 2013 (UTC)

"America" is ambiguous

Is Hawaii in America?
Even for an American, it is not simply "Yes". Neither is it simply "No".
Did Columbus sail to America? Historical usage should not be discounted, but emphasized, because a comprehensive encyclopedia is primarily an historiographical work. --SmokeyJoe (talk) 20:48, 9 November 2013 (UTC)

Over 200 years of usage isn't historical? Encyclopedias are full of words and definitions that are younger than that. - BilCat (talk) 00:03, 10 November 2013 (UTC)

All usage is historical. But even today, is Hawaii in America? --SmokeyJoe (talk) 03:16, 10 November 2013 (UTC)

Depends on the context. - BilCat (talk) 03:22, 10 November 2013 (UTC)

Hawaii isn't in North America, but it is just as much a part of America as Alaska and American Samoa and technically Puerto Rico and technically West Virginia. Of course, when you say "America", I assume you're referring to the United States of America, not the two separate continents of North America and South America? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.164.161.151 (talk) 02:16, 12 November 2013 (UTC)