Why "America" instead of "United States of America"?
Nov 29th, 2004, 10:42 PM
#101
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Okay. Mike? Drop this. Not the "preferred" term. It is the term that we all were given.
For example, where do you burn wood inside your home to generate heat for the home? In the fireplace. Why is it called the fireplace?
Why is it that I walk into a building and next door there is a construction crew building a building? Even those within the industry don't always say that they are constructing a building. Or, erecting an office tower. Or, anything else that you might stamp with your approval.
It is what it is. Just move on.
For example, where do you burn wood inside your home to generate heat for the home? In the fireplace. Why is it called the fireplace?
Why is it that I walk into a building and next door there is a construction crew building a building? Even those within the industry don't always say that they are constructing a building. Or, erecting an office tower. Or, anything else that you might stamp with your approval.
It is what it is. Just move on.
Nov 30th, 2004, 04:32 AM
#103
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I don't know why I bothered going to school. They taught me that there are 7 continents. Now I learn that, depending upon who is counting, there may be as few as four: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent
Nov 30th, 2004, 06:02 AM
#105
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mikelg-
Wanted to let you know that I decided to take a break frim this long discussion and try to learn something of your nationality of Basque (Euskadi? Is that correct?)
So I am taking a couple of hours of my day off reading so many fascinating things on some Basque websites. And right in the beginning of my learning process, I can see clearly the contrast of a Basque perspective to many of the responses here!
Thank you for unwittingly leading me down this path-I hope to learn much more of the country and ways of the Basque culture!
Greeting from a Northamerican New Yorker!
Wanted to let you know that I decided to take a break frim this long discussion and try to learn something of your nationality of Basque (Euskadi? Is that correct?)
So I am taking a couple of hours of my day off reading so many fascinating things on some Basque websites. And right in the beginning of my learning process, I can see clearly the contrast of a Basque perspective to many of the responses here!
Thank you for unwittingly leading me down this path-I hope to learn much more of the country and ways of the Basque culture!
Greeting from a Northamerican New Yorker!
Nov 30th, 2004, 06:13 AM
#106
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>what would you have us northamericanese call it??. <
I call your attention to "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean".
>A continent is a land mass that contains one of the six original giant blocks of igneous rocks. Thus there are six continents,...<
But why is India a SubContinent? It is separate from the Asian land mass.
>...I have always wondered why most unitedstatians call themselves "americans"...<
What are the people from the Confederation Helvetica called?
I call your attention to "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean".
>A continent is a land mass that contains one of the six original giant blocks of igneous rocks. Thus there are six continents,...<
But why is India a SubContinent? It is separate from the Asian land mass.
>...I have always wondered why most unitedstatians call themselves "americans"...<
What are the people from the Confederation Helvetica called?
Nov 30th, 2004, 06:17 AM
#107
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Since the history of the US has been discussed on this thread, I just thought I would add something that very few of us learn in history class in school. Taken from http://statiatourism.com/history.html
"On November 16, 1776 the American Brig-of-War, the "Andrew Doria", sailed into the harbor of Statia firing its 13-gun salute indicating America's long sought independence. The 11-gun salute reply, roaring from the canons at Fort Oranje under the command of Governor Johannes de Graaff, established Statia as the first foreign nation to officially recognize the newly formed United States of America."
This salute happened just steps from where I presently reside, so I thought it might be an interesting tid-bit to add to the historical aspect of thread.
"On November 16, 1776 the American Brig-of-War, the "Andrew Doria", sailed into the harbor of Statia firing its 13-gun salute indicating America's long sought independence. The 11-gun salute reply, roaring from the canons at Fort Oranje under the command of Governor Johannes de Graaff, established Statia as the first foreign nation to officially recognize the newly formed United States of America."
This salute happened just steps from where I presently reside, so I thought it might be an interesting tid-bit to add to the historical aspect of thread.
Nov 30th, 2004, 07:37 AM
#111
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Glad you enjoyed the info, Ira. I'm sure you must have seen Fort Oranje when you were here, and that is where the first salute happened.
We recently completed our weeklong celebration of "Statia America Day" commemorating such, and November 16 is an offical holiday here. The island's motto is also "America's Childhood Friend."
We recently completed our weeklong celebration of "Statia America Day" commemorating such, and November 16 is an offical holiday here. The island's motto is also "America's Childhood Friend."
Nov 30th, 2004, 07:55 AM
#112
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>But why is India a SubContinent? It is >separate from the Asian land mass.
India is not separate from the Asian landmass - only surrounded by water on three sides
However it was believed to be a part of the old igneous mass including Australia and Antartica and broke off at some point and the continental drift resulted in it becoming a part of Asia. If i remeber right the height of the mountains is increasing as the land crashes more into the Asian mass.
However I have also heard it said that this was coined by the British to refer to all their colonies south of the Himalayas - because it was more impressive than ruling a mere country.
I should know more, am embarrassed to admit I don't.
India is not separate from the Asian landmass - only surrounded by water on three sides
However it was believed to be a part of the old igneous mass including Australia and Antartica and broke off at some point and the continental drift resulted in it becoming a part of Asia. If i remeber right the height of the mountains is increasing as the land crashes more into the Asian mass.
However I have also heard it said that this was coined by the British to refer to all their colonies south of the Himalayas - because it was more impressive than ruling a mere country.
I should know more, am embarrassed to admit I don't.
Nov 30th, 2004, 09:33 AM
#113
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It's been covered already, but I'll put my two cents in. United States of Mexico = Mexicans. United States of America = Americans. It's the easiest shorthand way to identify citizens of the USA. North and South America are separate continents by general geographic agreement and custom. There has never been a continent called "America." The two continents together are sometimes referred to as "the Americas," plural because there are two separate ones. People from Canada, Mexico, the USA, and various smaller nations are North Americans. People from Canada are Canadians, people from Mexico are Mexicans, people from the USA are Americans--get over it.
It's really pretty simple.
It's really pretty simple.
Nov 30th, 2004, 10:19 AM
#114
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Hi indie,
I should have said "geologically separate".
>If i remember right the height of the mountains is increasing as the land crashes more into the Asian mass.<
You are correct.
I should have said "geologically separate".
>If i remember right the height of the mountains is increasing as the land crashes more into the Asian mass.<
You are correct.
Nov 30th, 2004, 10:35 AM
#115
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Bellastar, you probably would enjoy reading the book "In A Hundred Graves" written by Robert Laxalt (a Basque).
I do not think it is in print anymore but some months ago on Amazon there were used books offerred. Hopefully your library has it or could get it for you.
I read it in the early 1970's. Think you would really enjoy it.
I do not think it is in print anymore but some months ago on Amazon there were used books offerred. Hopefully your library has it or could get it for you.
I read it in the early 1970's. Think you would really enjoy it.
Nov 30th, 2004, 11:20 AM
#116
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Thanks for the suggestion, loveitaly, I just called the Strand, (one of NY's best used booksellers, and they have it!) I am almost a blank slate about Basques, so this will be a good beginning. My only experience so far so eating at a Basque restaurant here in New York,, a fond memory.
Nov 30th, 2004, 11:54 AM
#118
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Bellastar, funny how one thing leads to another. Yes, maybe you´ve got a point in seeing some of my Basque idiosyncrasy when posing this question about America. In any case, I always welcome people interested in my homeland (by the way, not a lot of specific threads on the Basque Country- Euskadi or Euskal Herria). Should I take advantage of this situation and open a thread on useful hints about the Basque country? Too arrogant...
