Journal Scrameustache's Journal: America: The definition 4
America [for Amerigo Vespucci], the lands of the Western Hemisphere--North America, Central (or Middle) America, and South America. The world map published in 1507 by Martin Waldseemüller is the first known cartographic use of the name. In English, America and American are frequently used to refer only to the United States.
Source: The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
You wouldn't believe the long winded bullshit people will come up with to cover up their ignorance of this simple fact.
But then again: why? (Score:1)
yeah (Score:2)
And really, what else are we supposed to be called?
Re:yeah (Score:2)
My gripe isn't about peple using it, it's clearly fallen into such widespread use, my gripe is with people who claim that this is how it's always been and should be.
Hell, I should have a similar gripe with people who's language refers to themselves as "human", meaning that we aren't (Inuits, Gypses, etc.). Then again, they never send me pages and pages of complete and utter bulls
I'm a Kwakiutal first (Score:2)