In Mexico, and I believe in other countries as well, the Americas are one continent. In the UK, North America, Germany and other countries, they are two continents.

“The States” is very commonly used to refer to the US, not just by foreign born Americans.

It is also very common to refer to the US rather than America, much as we distinguish between the UK, Britain and the individual nations that make up the United Kingdom.

I have family in Mexico and “estadounidense” is a political term referring to anything official or gov’t related. For example, in Mexico, if a woman says “Me quiero casar con un muchacho estadounidense” that means she is probably looking to marry a US citizens, regardless of their race or origin. But if she says “Me quiero casar con un muchacho americano” she wants to marry a white type American guy because that’s what she’s attracted to.

So an American citizen of Korean descent wouldn’t really be considered un “americano” in Mexico, though he would still be “estadounidense”. In English, “America” is not a continent. There are two continents with that name included….North America and South America. It’s similar to “Australia” where “Australia” refers to both a continent and a country.

I will also add that in English, “America”, “US”, “USA”, United States of America” and “The States” do not have the same exact meaning to Americans….

“America” refers to everything…the people, the land and the culture
EXAMPLE: “I love living in America…the food is great, there’s so much to see and the people are nice”

“United States” refers to geographical and political aspects
EXAMPLE: “They are building electric car charging states all across the United States.

“The States” generally used by foreign born Americans when they are overseas
EXAMPLE: “I am going to leave Germany and go back to the states”.

(in many other countries they don’t use “America” but in English speaking countries such as the UK and Australia they do, and in many non English speaking countries they do as well, for example, in Poland is “Ameryka”)

Two more comments….
“coger” most city dwelling Mexicans are aware that in almost all other Latin American countries “cover” mean “take, grab, etc” so you won’t really get a reaction. However, people who are naco or from a “rancho” might not know this

“paja” no where in Latin America is it acceptable to say “De me un paja”. We all know what that means. However “pajita” (Cono Sur) and “pajilla” (Central America) are used. You also have absorbente, bombilla, calimete, canilla, pitillo, popote, sorbete, sorbeto. Since there are so many word in Spanish most folks will understand “pajilla” but I would stay away from “pajita” or “paja” in any Spanish speaking country.

Paja is okay to say if you are referring to hay aka straw to feed the horses. Esta hecho de paja.