Speaking for myself:
Now I live in europe where 240v is standard, but apparently even in the US/Canada you do actually have 220v just split in two parts and its a matter of getting a little y-cable and you can do it in a home also. So buy the cable already, sure it cant cost more than $5 on ebay.
Europe has 220v single phase, usa has 240v split phase. Not a simple cable to have 240v outlet in usa. Minimum of a new breaker. Usually requires new breaker and new wire to new outlet.
usually the US/CANADA is wired with a Hot 120V, neutral (0V return), and Ground (0V safety). Changing the neutral wire for a select outlet to run on the secondary phase of 120V will give you 240V at the outlet and work with a 'typical' PC power cord.
however, running 240V in a 120V socket is against code, so it should be switched out to a 240V-speced outlet.