BG or UK

[ecchi]

When you talk about the country: United Kingdom was coined to emphasise the fact that we are four equal countries. Great Britain really means England and the three countries it conquered (i.e. four unequal countries).

However when you talk about the people, 'British' is the only term we have (No 'United Kingdomish').

Incidentally the reason for the 'great' part is that there were two countries called Britain, to avoid confusion we generously agreed to be the 'Great' Britain, and let them just be plain old Britain.

Personally I use English more than British nowadays, mostly to piss off the Scots, Irish, and Welsh (Funny, they love saying they are Scottish/Welsh/Irish not British, but as soon as you say "Yeah I agree, I prefer to be called English so I don't lumped in with you lot either", they get upset).

[Venice]

Originally Posted by ecchi

When you talk about the country: United Kingdom was coined to emphasise the fact that we are four equal countries. Great Britain really means England and the three countries it conquered (i.e. four unequal countries).

However when you talk about the people, 'British' is the only term we have (No 'United Kingdomish').

Incidentally the reason for the 'great' part is that there were two countries called Britain, to avoid confusion we generously agreed to be the 'Great' Britain, and let them just be plain old Britain.

Personally I use English more than British nowadays, mostly to piss off the Scots, Irish, and Welsh (Funny, they love saying they are Scottish/Welsh/Irish not British, but as soon as you say "Yeah I agree, I prefer to be called English so I don't lumped in with you lot either", they get upset).

I was actually born in Scotland...but brought up in the true 'Public School English' system...just worked it out as $40.50 per DAY..eeeewwww...i

[KG Gary]

Um, I say I'm from the UK and I call myself British...mostly.
I live in England but I was born & raised in Wales. Sometimes I say I'm Welsh instead of British, but on the whole I use British. And UK.
It's a bit annoying to hear the UK called England so often, but not so annoying as to cause much of a headache or make me cry.

What was the actual question again?
Dammit. I confused myself.
UK.

[sue-fl]

I've always thought England myself. The very polite people from England who love their tea

[ecchi]

Originally Posted by sue-fl

I've always thought England myself

But England is only one country. The best approximation for American is to think as UK as being like the US, and think of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales (and for some Cornwall) as 'states'. Using England for all of Britain is like saying all Americans are 'Texans'.