How did the term "Indians" persist for hundreds of years when even the earliest explorers knew the New World was not India?

by TemoSahn
Holy_Shit_HeckHounds

More can be said, but consider these:

The origins of the term Indian to refer to people from North America: Did the term "Indian" really come from a mis-label from early European settlers in America? written by u/DerProfessor

Persistence of term Indian:Why is it that the term 'Indians' is still used and common throughout American history since colonization, despite the awareness of early pilgrims knowing that they were not in India? written by u/Snapshot52