Americans (inhabitants/citizens of US) when people from other countries come to theirs : "These people need to speak English"
Americans when they visit other people's countries : "Why don't these people speak English???"
EDIT : By the context of this post it's blatantly obvious which definition of 'American' is being used lol, but I added an explanation above anyway. ๐ And yes there is more than one definition of "american", usually context makes it clear which is being used for most people
Because thats how the word has been used in English since at least the 18th century. This weird little hangup people have with it all the sudden is just people looking for a reason to hate on Americans. The folks trying to change the usage don't even have good alternative word which shows that it isn't an argument in good faith. The only alternative I've seen is "united statsians" which is nonsensical in English and cumbersome. Even the whiner from the original comment didn't spell it out.
Funny, the only people I hear call it out are from other American countries. This comment chain was interesting in that it was started by a Spaniard.
I wonder why, prior to modern times, people just didn't give a shit what the other people on the continent(s) had to say on the matter?
First of all, most of the countries that those folks are from didn't even exist when the usage was created. They would be very justified in criticizing the US government, but instead they'd rather shit on the American people over word usage (in a secondary to them language) that predates all the countries involved. It's fucking silly and they should really get a grip on what's really important.
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Lul
Pointing out every flaw in your argument would require a small essay. Enjoy, hopefully, the rest of high school because God help us if you're an adult.
"I disagree with you and am unable to articulate it, you must be a child." Great argument, just a straight up personal attack.
LIsten to the news, the media, everyday conversation. If someone says "the american people", 'American companies', 'american politicians' american culture', 'american products', the 'american economy' etc etc they are talking about the United States... Why say Mexican-American, African-American,? What do they mean? They mean people of those descents in THE USA... The usage of American is understood to mean people from the USA,.... write America with your keyboard and see the american flag pop up as a suggestion.
Oh, I know. Most of the people complaining are from countries that didn't even exist when the usage began. They could have very justified grievances with the American government, but randomly shitting on the American people on the internet over nonsense is what they prefer to discuss.