Americans, look here!

[johan]

I'm in a terminology discussion elsewhere.

In very relaxed and colloquial US English, is Canada included when the average American talks about North America, or do both terms North America and America refer to just the US? Does "I live in North America, not in Canada" come off naturally in your ears, as something an ordinary American in a bar might say?

Comments desired!

Comments

[drquuxum.livejournal.com]

"North America" is and should be defined as Canada, USA and Mexico.

[jophan.livejournal.com]

Also colloquially among people who are more sloppy about definitions?

[drquuxum.livejournal.com]

"North America" always refers to the continent, colloquially or otherwise. "America" colloquially only refers the USA (despite it being technically incorrect, but nobody really calls people on it other than 3rd grade geography teachers.)

[jophan.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[grubi.livejournal.com]

And Central America.

[drquuxum.livejournal.com]

Of no importance whatsoever, is the border between North & South America the Panama Canal, or the Panama/Colombia border?

[grubi.livejournal.com]

I believe it's the Panama/Colombia border. Which makes more logical sense if you think What Border Did It Have Before the Canal?

[drquuxum.livejournal.com]

Are you suggesting that cartographers are logical? *ducks* ;-)

[grubi.livejournal.com]

Hey now!