Happy Birthday, America

[RexesOperator]

Thats another good reason!


But since its a celebration for the sake of having a good old knees up - Happy Birthday to all you in Canada tomorrow too!

I resisted joining the fray - but please. Our holiday was July 1st.

 

[Ron_dK]

Happy 4th of July America

and don't forget the James Taylor song :

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/james+taylor/on+the+fourth+of+july_20069257.html

 

[Pauldohert]

A•mer•i•ca (ə-měr'ĭ-kə) Pronunciation Key

1. The United States.
2. also the A•mer•i•cas (-kəz) The landmasses and islands of North America, Central America, and South America.

ergo America=The United States

I realized I was probably being US centric by assuming that definition, so I checked some UK references, they were consistent in the definition:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/America - yes there are two definitions here -

ergo America = The United States + Canada + Mexico + Brazil etc etc.

Where is the USA its in North America - as opposed to Central America or South America - so clearly there are parts of america that are not part of the USA.

You might like to note this tournament that is going on at the moment
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4942797.html and have a look at the fact that not only the USA competes. (I know thats difficult to understand what with the world series just being the USA)


Wishing Americans happy bithday on July the fourth is the same as wishing the British or Europeans happy national holiday St Georges Day on April 23rd.


The fact the word america has been corrupted to mean,to certain people just the USA shows the egocentric nature of the USA, and the subservient nature of the Canadians.


Happy 4th of July though!

 

[Brianwarnock]

Discovered I'm not going till 14:00 so popped in to wish Americans a jolly July 4th.

I hoped you all realised that

Can i just check? Is it America's birthday or The U.S. of A's.

was just a bit of a tease.

Brian

 

[Pauldohert]

I resisted joining the fray - but please. Our holiday was July 1st.

Was trying to goad you into taking the name of your continent back from the self important country south of the border - who seem to think it applies to them and them alone.

 

[yippie_ky_yay]

Happy 4th of July America

Happy 4th of July!

 

[dan-cat]

Wishing Americans happy bithday on July the fourth is the same as wishing the British or Europeans happy national holiday St Georges Day on April 23rd.


The fact the word america has been corrupted to mean,to certain people just the USA shows the egocentric nature of the USA, and the subservient nature of the Canadians.

**deleted - don't feel like arguing today **

 

[Pauldohert]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pauldohert

Wishing Americans happy bithday on July the fourth is the same as wishing the British or Europeans happy national holiday St Georges Day on April 23rd.


The fact the word america has been corrupted to mean,to certain people just the USA shows the egocentric nature of the USA, and the subservient nature of the Canadians.

LMAO, it's just an abbreviation Paul, there's no need to make such a fuss. You referred to 'United States of America' citizens as Americans yourself in the first paragraph..

If you mean the example above an my first paragraph there I most certainly did not use Americans as a term for the inhabitants of the USA only - the very opposite - exactly as British isn't the term to use for the inhabitants of England only. (you have 100 % missed the point!)

"Wishing Americans (who happen to be Brazilian) happy bithday on July the fourth is the same as wishing the British or Europeans (who happen to be Scottish) happy national holiday St Georges Day on April 23rd."


Its faily simple logic - Those from the USA are Americans - however all Americans are not from the USA. Similarly the English can be called British, though not all British are English.

It would seem rude not to get it right - anyhow you could try the second example next year in a Glasgow pub, if you doubt the offence it may cause.

I should add lots of careless abbreviations cause offence - particularly when talkng of nationality.

 

[Pauldohert]

**deleted - don't feel like arguing today **

Too late - when you post something 100% wrong - I have a duty to respond!

 

[Rich]

**deleted - don't feel like arguing today **

Why, that's not like you?

 

[dan-cat]

Too late - when you post something 100% wrong - I have a duty to respond!

You're right, what I posted was wrong, your sense of duty is admirable and I commend you for it. Still don't feel like arguing so I'll leave you guys to it.

 

[dan-cat]

Why, that's not like you?

I feel like relaxing, secure in my independance from the British today.

 

[Pauldohert]

You're right, what I posted was wrong, your sense of duty is admirable and I commend you for it. Still don't feel like arguing so I'll leave you guys to it.

Since you have retracted your rubbish - theres no argument from me either.

 

[Pauldohert]

I suggest Usars as a good word for those from the USA?

 

[dan-cat]

Since you have retracted your rubbish - theres no argument from me either.

I tried to earlier but you were too quick for me

 

[qailoh]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/America - yes there are two definitions here -

The fact the word america has been corrupted to mean,to certain people just the USA shows the egocentric nature of the USA, and the subservient nature of the Canadians.

Happy 4th of July though!

Was trying to goad you into taking the name of your continent back from the self important country south of the border - who seem to think it applies to them and them alone.

Sigh. Even the definition you've linked makes the distinction, America is the US, North America is the continent of Canada, the USA, and Mexico, while South America is the home of Brazil, Chile, Columbia et al, and the Americas are the collective name for both continents. Tired of mincing words for now, so I'll let it go.

Um, we celebrate the Lunar New Year, Cinco de Mayo, St. Urho's Day (well, that's primarily an Upper Peninsula of Michigan thing) and quite a few other holidays as well in honor of all those who weren't necessarily born here...the 4th just gets an undue amount of coverage in the press (and the forums...).

Anyway, Happy belated Canada Day to our neighbors to the north.

P.S. Brian, I figured you were kidding.

 

[Pauldohert]

Sigh. Even the definition you've linked makes the distinction, America is the US, North America is the continent of Canada, the USA, and Mexico, while South America is the home of Brazil, Chile, Columbia et al, and the Americas are the collective name for both continents. Tired of mincing words for now, so I'll let it go.

I suggest you learn how to use a dictionary - because it says no such thing!

I am glad you choose to back up your ignorance of this matter with another show of ignorance!

It says the america has two meanings - one of which is also refered to as the americas.

Heres another dictionary - http://dict.die.net/america/

Aside from mincing words - I think you'll find I am correct and you are ignorant of what definitions america can have! (and how to use a dictionary)

Ie America does not solely refer to the USA and americans aren't solely from the USA.

 

[Newman]

I am from North America, therefore, I am an American...
Can I get an American passport then?

Cool! That gives us three national days in a row.
Since I am French(lingually speaking), I'll get a forth one on July 14th.
Cool!!! Going on like this, I won't have to work too much this summer.

 

[dan-cat]

Ie America does not solely refer to the USA and americans aren't solely from the USA.

They can be if that's the definition, validated by your references, you wish to use. Stop being so nit-picky

 

[qailoh]

I suggest you learn how to use a dictionary - because it says no such thing!

From your reference:

A·mer·i·ca(-mr-k)
1. The United States.
2. also the A·mer·i·cas (-kz) The landmasses and islands of North America, Central America, and South America.

The words bolded are the words being defined (click your own provided link if you remain unclear on the concept). I suggest you learn how to use a dictionary.

Also from your reference:

1. America - North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

That seems unambiguous.

As long as I'm having to illustrate your ignorance, America is a proper noun and should be capitalized. Perhaps a course in remedial English is in order? Anyway, kudos to Col for (so far) respecting the cease fire.