Originally Posted by
LupineChemist
I would just point out here that there might be a problem in translation here. In Spain "norteaméricano" is basically used (incorrectly) to mean from the USA. Spain basically refuses to acknowledge Mexico is in North America and mostly just ignores Canada or treats it as if it were the US. So you often have to ask for clarification if people are talking about North America.
Of course "norteamericano" is an improvement on US citizens claiming "American" for themselves. "Estadunidense" doesn't exactly roll off the tongue either. Personally I use "gringo" even though that's clearly not Castilian Spanish or even specific to Americans - but it's closer to the target than "guiri".
Anyhow, you're right about Norteamerica being essentially the USA to people here. Everything else I've written here is just OMNI...
