Referring to people from USA as "American"

[Anonymous]

I speak Spanish as a second language and realize that people from Central America get upset when Americans call themselves "American" since they call us "United Statesers." It's not a word in English though. I've always been slightly annoyed at them referring to themselves as "American" too when they're really Mexican or whatnot. People will write into the editor that they were offended by an "America the beautiful" slideshow because it only showed the USA.

Today I read an article where Canadians called themselves "American" too because they're from North America. What?!

Seriously world, what should people from USA call themselves?

[Anonymous]

All of the people you mentioned can and should call themselves American. It's not different than calling yourself European when you are from Greece and/or Norway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of the people you mentioned can and should call themselves American. It's not different than calling yourself European when you are from Greece and/or Norway.

Then how do we distinguish Americans from Mexicans/Canadians whatnot? There's no other name that people from the US can call themselves.

I disagree that they're American. Central American/North American- Yes.

[Anonymous]

It's a pet peeve of mine. American to describe a citizen of the USA is inaccurate. Perhaps specifying USA would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

The least offensive term occupiers should use is "temporary occupants of Turtle Island."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_Island_(North_America)

[Anonymous]

Why is this important?

[Anonymous]

I don't think they are American either. They are northern American or central, South American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a pet peeve of mine. American to describe a citizen of the USA is inaccurate. Perhaps specifying USA would be helpful.

But America is in our name, not in the other's names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a pet peeve of mine. American to describe a citizen of the USA is inaccurate. Perhaps specifying USA would be helpful.

How is it inaccurate? What is the proper way to refer to them in English?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a pet peeve of mine. American to describe a citizen of the USA is inaccurate. Perhaps specifying USA would be helpful.

Curious- what's your nationality? In Spanish I refer to myself as "United Stateser" but it doesn't translate to English. American is the only name that works for people from USA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a pet peeve of mine. American to describe a citizen of the USA is inaccurate. Perhaps specifying USA would be helpful.

It is accurate. It is not as specific as you can get, but it is accurate.

[Anonymous]

It's really not up to other countries WHAT we call ourselves.

[Anonymous]

I think you are splitting hairs. North American is accurate, but so is American.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are splitting hairs. North American is accurate, but so is American.

OP here. When I refer to myself as "American" I am corrected often by Spanish speakers.

I'm not trying to split hairs.

Mexico is also the United States of Mexico, but no one refers to them (in Spanish) as United Statesers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a pet peeve of mine. American to describe a citizen of the USA is inaccurate. Perhaps specifying USA would be helpful.

In Standard American English, the word for "citizen of the USA" is "American". Does this make sense? Not necessarily. But the purpose of language isn't to make sense. The purpose of language is to communicate.

However, if you would like to call yourself something else, for example a United Statesian, then go ahead!