(02-11-2020 11:53 AM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(02-11-2020 10:33 AM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  

(02-11-2020 10:07 AM)tanqtonic Wrote:  

(02-11-2020 10:05 AM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  

(02-11-2020 09:56 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Holland

Thank you for posting why I asked my question.

Quote:Holland is a region and former province on the western coast of the Netherlands. The name Holland is also frequently used informally to refer to the whole of the country of the Netherlands.

Yet most of us recognized that Holland was used by #s as referring to the country, as the term is used quite frequently although informally.

I haven't heard anyone use "Holland" to refer to the country itself in years, but have heard Holland used as a reference to the region many, many time. I have been spending a lot of time with Dutch folks for the past 5 years, so that's why I wanted clarification.

Sorry if you and OO are offended for asking for clarification.

And conversely, I have heard references to Holland as a country many times in the last 40 years. Not offended, but pointing out that the reference isnt the bright line distinction that you seemingly imply.

Looking back, I see that my first reference didn't say "region of Holland, right?" so I can see why you and OO thought I wasn't aware that Holland is sometimes used to refer to the entire country.

Your comment about how there isn't a bright line is precisely why I asked Owl# to clarify, and which seems pretty reasonable. It's like when people use "New York" to only reference New York City, or "Washington" to describe Washington D.C. Sometimes, clarification is helpful.