3 ms·
Isn't that exactly why the analogy works? "British" means someone from the UK or an overseas territory/dependency. Therefore the Irish are not British and are
by n4r9 4y ago
Isn't that exactly why the analogy works?
"British" means someone from the UK or an overseas territory/dependency. Therefore the Irish are not British and are rightfully miffed when called as such. Even though Ireland is in the (poorly named) British Isles.
"American" means a citizen or national of the USA. Therefore Canadians are not American and are rightfully miffed when called as such. Even though Canada is in (slightly less poorly named) North America.
- dghlsakjg 4y agoWhen I lived in South America many people took exception to referring to US citizens as 'Americans'. For most of SA, 'American' can refer to something of the American continents. Even more interesting, the middle school geography that I took taught that there was only one American continent. So by that standard Canadians are 'American'. But yeah, as someone who now lives in Canada: don't ever think that Canada is the same as the US.
- hydrok9 4y agoThe difference in defining continents is where the confusion mainly arises. Canadians are "North Americans," unless you are in Europe, then they are just "Americans." So what are people who live in the USA? United Statesians? Americans-not-from-Canada-Mexico-or-anywhere-south-of-that?
- n4r9 4y agoHere in the UK, saying someone is "American" generally means they're from the USA. However, many of us have trouble distinguishing between Canadian and American accents (except of course French Canadian). That often leads to confusing Canadians with Americans.