Happy Birthday, America

[dan-cat]

America mean a continent, not a country that's grabbed the name for itself

So here you were referring to the continent, not the country

 

[Rich]

So here you were referring to the continent, not the country

Bugger I've become Americanized
I need treatment, no wait a minute, when in Rome............

 

[dan-cat]

Bugger I've become Americanized
I need treatment, no wait a minute, when in Rome............

I'm glad you feel this forum is American

 

[Rich]

I'm glad you feel this forum is American

I should have said in the company of Romans
This forum is British, thank god

 

[Friday]

Did you do anything special yesterday? like eat turkey

Col

No, I had to work. Plus it was raining, hailing 30+ MPH winds and funnel clouds were hanging out of the sky here. A good day to be inside.

 

[dan-cat]

No, I had to work. Plus it was raining, hailing 30+ MPH winds and funnel clouds were hanging out of the sky here. A good day to be inside.

I had to work too but I did get to see some fireworks in the evening

 

[ColinEssex]

Thank you Col, I really appreciate not logging in and seeing flames and jibes, especially on the $th.

You're welcome - Anything to oblige

Col

 

[Pauldohert]

Not meant as a dig, just illustrating that referring to the USA as America is quite common regardless of what country you're from.

Paul seems to think it's some kind of abstract American trait

Since when was common necessarily good - the fact I said america had been usurped in its meaning - should tell you I know that it is unfortunetly common.

You have in the past pulled Col up on words he commonly uses, simple because you do not like the definition you give to them, though Col assures you he uses the words in e very differant sense.

Given your (what I had, in my arrogance, assumed were) numerous spelling, punctuation and capitalization errors I had assumed your reading of the second definition was based on a lack of reading and comprehension skills. Clearly I was mistaken in this assumption and humbly apologize.

I suggest you assumed I had misread and not compreheded the second defintion - for one simple reason: ie you were wrong. My reading and comprehension of it was and is correct.

What meaning did I give to 2) that you assumed was wrong?

Your reasoning that I am frequently incorrect (possible true - I admit mistakes and errors) therefore must be incorrect on other things is a dangerous assumption to make. I accept you apology gracefully - and hope you learn from the experience.

2. also the Americas (proper noun, plural) The landmasses and islands of North America, Central America, and South America.

America: synonym the Americas is clear enough.

Thank you for relieving me of the burden of my ignorance. Could you be so kind as to further enlighten me? I am unfamiliar with this usage:


Quote:
Originally Posted by Pauldohert
It says the america…

When you use an article with the uncapitalized singular form, to what does that refer?

I gladly admit my msitake and hope to learn from it!

I shall try to be clearer - ie when I say America I largely think of it as differnat to you.

Ie The Copa America is an American football competition. It has nothing to do with gridiron.

 

[Pauldohert]

Nonsense, the truth of the statement depends on how you actually define 'Americans', not whether you're aware of the more obscure definition of 'America'.

It's perfectly possible to be aware of both definitions and to interpret this statement as false. All you have to do is presume the most commonly used definition. Which you're not for the sake of nit-picking.

You are correct - my statement is only incorrect if you force me to adopt your defintion of America, but America to me means something else - though I am aware of your usage and sometimes unfortunately use myself , sacrificing clarity.

I think calling the original defintion of America obscure is taking it just a little far.

America existed before the USA did, America was partly travelled to by Columbus, who never set foot in North America so I believe, so wasn't in the USA, or even in lands that subsequently became the USA. In fact you will find old maps that show America - and what is now the USA isn't even there. And I think its quite commonly agreed that Columbus was in what was subsequently called America not the USA. Or is that an obscure idea?

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/America
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/1492/america.html
http://www.webdictionary.co.uk/definition.php?query=America&Submit=Find+Definition


Again at the moment something like Copa America will be talked about greatly throughout the world as an American football tournament. Nothing about this is obscure - except in the eyes of a parochial American from the USA.

I use the word America in a fitting way to the definition I largely think of it in and don't particluarly want to use it in the other sense - hence Happy Birthday America to me would seem to be wrong - and so I wished everyone a good celebration for the 4th of July.

I am sorry you have difficulty accepting this. But I am not surprised!

 

[dan-cat]

You are correct - my statement is only incorrect if you force me to adopt your defintion of America, but America to me means something else - though I am aware of your usage and sometimes unfortunately use myself , sacrificing clarity.

Nobody is forcing you to define anything as anything, stop behaving like such a victim

I think calling the original defintion of America obscure is taking it just a little far.

More nit-picking, how about less prominent?

America existed before the USA did,...

Oh good grief, can you be anymore condescending?

Again at the moment something like Copa America will be talked about greatly throughout the world as an American football tournament. Nothing about this is obscure - except in the eyes of a parochial American from the USA.

Obviously you can...

I use the word America in a fitting way to the definition I largely think of it in and don't particluarly want to use it in the other sense

You don't like the first definition, that's wonderful. Are you done now? If so please collect a free badge on the way out

 

[Brianwarnock]

Paul

I reckon that over 90% of the world think of the USA when America is mentioned, in this country all the travel agents, media and atleast everybody I've met equate America with USA ,hell you can even take combined tours of America and Canada.

We have to live with what is not what should be.

Brian

 

[Pauldohert]

Originally Posted by Pauldohert
You are correct - my statement is only incorrect if you force me to adopt your defintion of America, but America to me means something else - though I am aware of your usage and sometimes unfortunately use myself , sacrificing clarity.

Nobody is forcing you to define anything as anything, stop behaving like such a victim


Quote:
Originally Posted by Pauldohert
I think calling the original defintion of America obscure is taking it just a little far.

More nit-picking, how about less prominent?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Pauldohert
America existed before the USA did,...

Oh good grief, can you be anymore condescending?




Quote:
Originally Posted by Pauldohert
Again at the moment something like Copa America will be talked about greatly throughout the world as an American football tournament. Nothing about this is obscure - except in the eyes of a parochial American from the USA.

Obviously you can...


Quote:
Originally Posted by Pauldohert
I use the word America in a fitting way to the definition I largely think of it in and don't particluarly want to use it in the other sense

You don't like the first definition, that's wonderful. Are you done now? If so please collect a free badge on the way out

A fantastic sidestep of the fact that - the arguments against your ignorant views are completely correct, and you've been posting shite again! ..........Sorry I'm nit picking!

If you stopped challenging an Englishman - on his correct use of English - maybe you wouldn't feel the replies you get are condescending. Otherwise its hard not to be isn't it? Its hard not to talk down to you!

I would have thought you were used to it?

 

[Pauldohert]

#76 Yesterday, 01:04 PM
Brianwarnock
Retired Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 2,132


Paul

I reckon that over 90% of the world think of the USA when America is mentioned, in this country all the travel agents, media and atleast everybody I've met equate America with USA ,hell you can even take combined tours of America and Canada.

We have to live with what is not what should be.

Brian

You may be correct - in which case I'm happily in the other 10%, what should be - as you put it.

 

[dan-cat]

A fantastic sidestep of the fact that - the arguments against your ignorant views are completely correct, and you've been posting shite again! ..........Sorry I'm nit picking!

Which views of mine are ignorant do tell.

If you stopped challenging an Englishman - on his correct use of English - maybe you wouldn't feel the replies you get are condescending. Otherwise its hard not to be isn't it? Its hard not to talk down to you!

I posted one comment which I quickly withdraw as rubbish and admitted so. The rest of my posts have never said that you were using the term 'America' incorrectly. This 'challenge' to your linguistic skills is imaginary. Like I said, stop behaving like a victim. You can use either definition to your hearts content. That's the point. BOTH definitions are valid.

You can't say 'Americans' are stoopid because they don't use the valid definition that you don't like. They can use either, just like you, without malice.

Some, maybe most, are ignorant of the defintion that you prefer. Great that's fine, go on another 'Americans are stooopid' tirade, it's so very original. But do me a favor, actually read my previous paragraph again before you do so.

I would have thought you were used to it?

...and do try not to litter your remarks with condescension. Lecturing me on my own country's history smacks like an American trying to lecture a Brit on theirs. You're just managing to shoehorn yourself into your own stereotypes.

 

[Pauldohert]

You can't say 'Americans' are stoopid because they don't use the valid definition that you don't like. They can use either, just like you, without malice.

I agree they can - if they can see them in the dictionary.

I agree with you - if you are not argueing with my use of America - your posts have largely been pointless. ( I knew that anyhow)

Some, maybe most, are ignorant of the defintion that you prefer. Great that's fine, go on another 'Americans are stooopid' tirade, it's so very original. But do me a favor, actually read my previous paragraph again before you do so.

You said most! - I am not sure I ever quantified the numbers of ignorant and parochial - I assume you will know better - so most it is then. Thanks

...and do try not to litter your remarks with condescension. Lecturing me on my own country's history smacks like an American trying to lecture a Brit on theirs. You're just managing to shoehorn yourself into your own stereotypes.

I didn't , I used the history you are well aware of to illustrate the point that America as not the USA - is not obscure - which you argued it was.

Stop acting like an idiot and I'll stop treating you like one!

 

[dan-cat]

I agree they can - if they can see them in the dictionary.

I agree with you - if you are not argueing with my use of America - your posts have largely been pointless. ( I knew that anyhow)

They have only been pointless because you have not been reading them. Sheesh, your use of the term is valid. Where have I ever said it is not since my deleted post

You said most! - I am not sure I ever quantified the numbers of ignorant and parochial - I assume you will know better - so most it is then. Thanks

I was trying to help you from falling down the same old hole but you fell in anyway.

I didn't , I used the history you are well aware of to illustrate the point that America as not the USA - is not obscure - which you argued it was.

Even when I offer to re-define terms, there is no latitude from you. You carry on as if it never happened. A bit like me deleting my original post in this thread.

Stop acting like an idiot and I'll stop treating you like one!

You're dancing too, I'm sure everybody watching thinks we're both idiots.

 

[dan-cat]

We have to live with what is not what should be.

Brian

Actually Bri, one could argue that Britain helped to coin the usage by it's reference to the 'American War of Independence'. The Brits referred to the thirteen colonies in this way right from the very beginning of the creation of the USA.

 

[Rich]

Actually Bri, one could argue that Britain helped to coin the usage by it's reference to the 'American War of Independence'. The Brits referred to the thirteen colonies in this way right from the very beginning of the creation of the USA.

We couldn't find an apt description at the time

 

[dan-cat]

We couldn't find an apt description at the time

Doesn't surprise me

 

[Rich]

Doesn't surprise me

We could hardly call it the United States, could we