I always thought Britain just referred to England primarily with likely inclusion of Wales, etc, but not Scotland or Ireland--I'm thinking about flags here and who has what flag. I always thought the collective group of islands was what constituted the United Kingdom.

With further research, I have just found this from the American Heritage Dictionary:

United Kingdom: or United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly called Great Britain or Britain. Abbr. UK.

A country of western Europe comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Beginning with the kingdom of England, it was created by three acts of union: with Wales(1536), Scotland(1707), and Ireland(1800). At the height of its power in the 19th century it ruled an empire that spanned the globe. London is the capital and the largest city Population 58,091,000.


Great Britain: An island off the western coast of Europe comprising England, Scotland, and Wales. It is separated from the mainland by the English Channel and from Ireland by the Irish Sea.


Britain: The Island of Great Britain during pre-Roman, Roman, and early Anglo-Saxon times before the rign of Alfred the Great(871-899). The name is derived from Brittania, which the Romans used for the portion of the island that they occupied.




Wow. That may have confused things even more. But if I read it right, Britain probably refers more specifically to England, but it sounds a bit vague. Great Britain includes Scotland, Wales, and Ireland too apparently. I guess UK and Great Britain (Maybe it's short for Greater Britain) are interchangeable to an extent. Eesh!

quote:

Originally posted by Dervish Really hate to be gay and nit pick. But I REALLY don't like it when people say England when they mean Britain or the UK. To a Scottish person (i.e. me) thats really anoying. England + Scotland + Wales + NI = Britain Scotland is not part of England Also for example Tony Blair is scottish so is the Chancellor, leader of Lib Dems and so is a huge number of the British Parliment, many in the highest postions. But aslo in other thing like finance for example >>>LINK<<< Scotland is actually has a resonably large effect on Britain. So when people just lug the two togeather it's just like saying Scotland doesn't exist which is peaving. I know Scotland is smallish and stuff but England is not Britain. Sorry I've said this before but you must understand why it anoys me, it's like people calling Canada America. I'm actually when I think about not all that peaved but it happens sooo often it gets grinding.

Oops ... my bad. I stand corrected. From now on I'll collectively refer to all of you as 'wankers' .

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Originally posted by Yoepus Hmm I always thought England + Wales = Britain and that England + Scotland + Wales + NI = United Kingdom. Oh well, good to learn something new everyday.

Who cares what it's called, it just a place where a bunch of fucking pricks live.

quote:

Originally posted by FuzzyGreen quote: Originally posted by Yoepus Hmm I always thought England + Wales = Britain and that England + Scotland + Wales + NI = United Kingdom. Oh well, good to learn something new everyday. Who cares what it's called, it just a place where a bunch of fucking pricks live.

just quoting, in case you would delete it..

ever thought of why people may think americans are ignorant?

really, you are a shame for your country...

quote:

Originally posted by Shakka A country of western Europe comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Beginning with the kingdom of England, it was created by three acts of union: with Wales(1536), Scotland(1707), and Ireland(1800). At the height of its power in the 19th century it ruled an empire that spanned the globe. London is the capital and the largest city Population 58,091,000.

Apparently (I looked it up) Britain, short for Great in my eyes, does not include NI. But thats weird cos surely they have British as their nationality on their passport? But they are members of the UK. But they isn't a nationality associated with the UK as far as I know. So are they still Irish then?

About the Monarcy King James (VI) of Scotland became King James I of England when they didn't have an heir basicly.

But apparently the current lot are all Hanovarian.

quote:

Upon the death of Anne, the distant claims of the elector of Hanover were recognized, and he became king of Great Britain and Ireland as George I.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108078.html

BTW sorry for taking this thread way off topic.

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Last edited by Dervish on May-25-2004 at 17:09

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Originally posted by mixinmusic Well I always thought and correct me if I am wrong but Britain was Scotland, Wales and England while the United Kingdom was Great Britain plus N. Ireland. Thats what it does say on my passport anyway!

according to my limey buddy sitting here with me, you are correct.

quote:

Originally posted by occrider Oops ... my bad. I stand corrected. From now on I'll collectively refer to all of you as 'wankers' .

Hehehe no problems with that it's true!

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Originally posted by FuzzyGreen Who cares what it's called, it just a place where a bunch of fucking pricks live.

^that^ however is pretty stupid what kinda responce are you looking for?

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quote:

Originally posted by mixinmusic How many Africans are not from Africa and still call themselves African!!

Not very many.

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Originally posted by mixinmusic Dervish, Just because you are not from Britain does not exclude you from being British!! How many Africans are not from Africa and still call themselves African!!

But.... I am British, born in Scotland to Scottish parents my family goes back way back.

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quote:

Originally posted by mixinmusic Ok then lets use Asians as an example then.... or perhaps Chinese & Japanese take your pick....

umm..i'm an asian american? chinese american

or taiwanese american to be completely specific

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Originally posted by TuanAnh213 umm..i'm an asian american? chinese american or taiwanese american to be completely specific

yea and I'm a Israeli Texan

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