Why do we selectively use "south" for the southern part of some states and "southern" for others. For instance, we almost always use "south" for Florida and "southern" for California.
"south Florida", "southern California"
cause we have northern california?
is there a north florida?
anything to do with florida being in 'the south' territory perhaps?
is there a north florida?
anything to do with florida being in 'the south' territory perhaps?
Good question.
Also, could anyone explain why we say South and North, not Southern and Northern Korea?
Also, could anyone explain why we say South and North, not Southern and Northern Korea?
And why we say 'Eastern bloc' but not 'Western bloc' and why we can say 'Northerner' and 'Southerner' but not 'Northerer' nor 'Southerer' and why there is no such thing as 'Middlern' and why 'Easter egg' but neither a 'Wester egg' 'Souther egg' nor 'Norther egg' ?
"South Florida" refers to a specific geopolitical entity, namely the South Florida metropolitan area (Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Pompano Beach). The term does not apply to the entire southern portion of the Florida.
"Southern California" is a general term applied to the entire southern half of California.
Think of the difference between South Africa vs. Southern Africa, one former refers to a specific place, while the latter a general region.
"Southern California" is a general term applied to the entire southern half of California.
Think of the difference between South Africa vs. Southern Africa, one former refers to a specific place, while the latter a general region.
Go to New York, and you have your choice between upstate and downstate -- no one uses northern or southern. Just a local eccentricity, I guess. Go to Alaska and they refer to the southern portion as "Southeast Alaska" -- even though there is no "Southwest Alaska" to distinguish it from, since that would just be open sea. There's definitely a West Texas and an East Texas, but then they get weird with other regional names like the Panhandle and the Big Bend area. Michigan simply has the regular state and the Upper Peninsula. To each their own idiosyncracies, I guess.