149

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Oha@lemmy.ohaa.xyz to c/196@lemmy.blahaj.zone

24 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] kirklennon@kbin.social 7 points 1 year ago

In English, "American" by itself refers unambiguously to the United States of America because, (again) in English, there is no continent called "America."

America uses flush toilets unless you're on an airplane. Besides, we can clearly see a huge water tank, which is how flush toilets work.

[-] Neon@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

you are absolutely correct. The correct Terms are siphonicä- and washdown-toilets. My mistake.
if there are "american Continents" and they can be referred to as "the Americas" then i would deduct that all the objects within those Continents are also "American"

[-] kirklennon@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago

they can be referred to as "the Americas" then i would deduct that all the objects within those Continents are also "American"

Unfortunately not though, because "American" is already used exclusively in reference to the USA. There is no adjective to refer to things from the Americas collectively. One of these two possible uses is extremely common and the other is extraordinarily rare. If you need the rare option, you need multiple words and can't shorten it.