rynd Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I know this is a really stupid question but: England, Britain or, United Kingdom What is the actual name of your country? Quote Link to comment
+Bear and Ragged Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Depends on who I'm talking to, and where! Quote Link to comment
+walkergeoff and wife Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 England is the name of my country, but those who live in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland live in Great Britain, whilst, as far as I know, the United Kingdom is simply England, Wales and Scotland. Clear isn't it? Now I await correction! Quote Link to comment
rynd Posted November 9, 2005 Author Share Posted November 9, 2005 And here I thought there would be a simple answer. Quote Link to comment
+Moote Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Well the country is not one it is 3 plus a Principality The countries are England Scotland Northern Ireland And Wales is a Principality Together they make Great Britain, but if you remove Northern Ireland it become The United Kingdom Think that is correct Milton Quote Link to comment
SlytherinAlex Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 England is the name of my country, but those who live in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland live in Great Britain, whilst, as far as I know, the United Kingdom is simply England, Wales and Scotland. Clear isn't it? Now I await correction! You didn't have to wait long. the United Kingdom, is the United Kingdom of Great Britain (E,S,W) and Northern Ireland. - Quote Link to comment
SlytherinAlex Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Together they make Great Britain, but if you remove Northern Ireland it become The United Kingdom. Nope. Look on the front of your passport. Alex. Quote Link to comment
+lordelph Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 (edited) Almost: Great Britain is England, Scotland and Wales The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the full name of our country. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom Edited November 9, 2005 by lordelph Quote Link to comment
+Bud Lightbeer Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Actually: England - Only includes the southern part of Great Britain, the territory known as England. Great Britain or Britain - The entire island off the coast of Western Europe, includes England, Wales, and Scotland. United Kingdom, full name: The United Kindom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. So the UK is Britain+N. Ireland Oh, and for the record, I'm Scottish Quote Link to comment
+walkergeoff and wife Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I stand corrected! Quote Link to comment
+Birdman-of-liskatraz Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Yet nobody mentions the Independent Peoples Republic of Kernow! and where does the Isle of Man fit in? Quote Link to comment
+Bud Lightbeer Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I think The Isle of Man is a country in it's own right with no ties to Great Britain or the United Kingdom...isn't it? Quote Link to comment
+lordelph Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Here's another good wikipedia article which walks you through the minefield of terms. Quote Link to comment
+Moote Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Yet nobody mentions the Independent Peoples Republic of Kernow! and where does the Isle of Man fit in? IOM is a country in it's own right Quote Link to comment
+walkergeoff and wife Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 And I believe that the Channel Isles are not in the EU. Do I need to be corrected again? Quote Link to comment
Dave from Glanton Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 All far too complicated. That's why they invented the catch-all "Blighty" Quote Link to comment
+Bud Lightbeer Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 According to the CIA website, The IOM is: A British crown dependency Any IOM cachers here to put us straight? Quote Link to comment
+Bud Lightbeer Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 ... nobody mentions the Independent Peoples Republic of Kernow! Funny that eh! Quote Link to comment
+The Blorenges Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 OK rynd - Is that clear? ...or shall we run it by you again? BTW, it wasn't a dumb question ... Plenty of folks over here wouldn't be sure of the answer Mrs B Quote Link to comment
rynd Posted November 9, 2005 Author Share Posted November 9, 2005 (edited) I didn't know it was so confusing Thank you for all the replies and the links. It's quiting time for me so I'll have to come back later and try to figure this all out. Again thanks Edited November 9, 2005 by rynd Quote Link to comment
+walkergeoff and wife Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 BTW, it wasn't a dumb question ... Plenty of folks over here wouldn't be sure of the answer Mrs B Including me!!!! Quote Link to comment
+Naefearjustbeer Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 (edited) My country is Scotland, Not really too bothered about the collective name for all the individual countrys and surrounding Islands. Edited November 9, 2005 by Naefearjustbeer Quote Link to comment
+kbootb Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 OK add this to the confusion. British Isles - which as far as I know is different from Great Britain. British Isles I believe is a geographical, non political term for the group of islands of the main continental coast. The politics are: There is a Parliament in England, where MPs from England Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make laws that affect England and Wales (and sometimes N Ireland and very occasionally Scotland) Scotland has a parliament, but MPs from England Wales and NI can't go there. Wales has an Assembly with fewer powers, I haven't yet had a good explanation of what they can do. NI is complex. It's part of a different land mass. The Southern part is a completely separate country from the British/England/Wales/Scotland bit. But the Northernmost part is currently seen by most of the people that live there as affiliated to the Parliament in England. Various attempts at creating political Assemblies etc to give that region more autonomy have been set up and abandoned over the years. Money in England Wales and Scotland is totally interchangable i.e. all Pounds, but will have slightly different designs. As you can see, much confusion here. Much debate about whether we feel English, Welsh, Scottish, British, European. Funny, nobody feels United Kingdomish. I remember being told that when the UN or perhaps its forerunner was being set up the countries were to sit alphabetically. If we were Great Britain we would be sitting next to Greece. So we invented or adopted United Kingdon so we could sit next to the US. No idea if there's any truth in that. Can anybody find the date of the first use of United Kngdom? Quote Link to comment
+lordelph Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 (edited) The Act of Union 1800 created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which puts paid to your UN story! Edited November 9, 2005 by lordelph Quote Link to comment
+Birdman-of-liskatraz Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 OK add this to the confusion. British Isles - which as far as I know is different from Great Britain. British Isles I believe is a geographical, non political term for the group of islands of the main continental coast. The politics are: There is a Parliament in England, where MPs from England Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make laws that affect England and Wales (and sometimes N Ireland and very occasionally Scotland) Scotland has a parliament, but MPs from England Wales and NI can't go there. Wales has an Assembly with fewer powers, I haven't yet had a good explanation of what they can do. NI is complex. It's part of a different land mass. The Southern part is a completely separate country from the British/England/Wales/Scotland bit. But the Northernmost part is currently seen by most of the people that live there as affiliated to the Parliament in England. Various attempts at creating political Assemblies etc to give that region more autonomy have been set up and abandoned over the years. Money in England Wales and Scotland is totally interchangable i.e. all Pounds, but will have slightly different designs. As you can see, much confusion here. Much debate about whether we feel English, Welsh, Scottish, British, European. Funny, nobody feels United Kingdomish. I remember being told that when the UN or perhaps its forerunner was being set up the countries were to sit alphabetically. If we were Great Britain we would be sitting next to Greece. So we invented or adopted United Kingdon so we could sit next to the US. No idea if there's any truth in that. Can anybody find the date of the first use of United Kngdom? Commonly interchangeable maybe.... but... Scottish Banknotes aren't legal tender in England - or indeed in Scotland! An interesting feature of the Scottish banknotes issue has been the fact that they have never, apart from under temporary provisions introduced in both World Wars, been "legal tender" even in Scotland, although they are, of course, accepted as legal currency. Quote Link to comment
+kbootb Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 The Act of Union 1800 created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which puts paid to your UN story! Well perhaps they didn't create it at that point.... but they could have chosen to be GB, or UK.... and chose UK... well it makes a good story. And when we compete in the Olympics we are GB... err, and I think that includes NI. Quote Link to comment
+lordelph Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Ah, GB is the ISO country code for the UK. Not idea how *that* happened. Quote Link to comment
+kbootb Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Commonly interchangeable maybe.... but... Scottish Banknotes aren't legal tender in England - or indeed in Scotland! An interesting feature of the Scottish banknotes issue has been the fact that they have never, apart from under temporary provisions introduced in both World Wars, been "legal tender" even in Scotland, although they are, of course, accepted as legal currency. OOh, I like that... feels very quiz night. What was the source of the quote? Quote Link to comment
+Haggis Hunter Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 The most important thing for you to take away from this rynd is that WE are not ENGLAND. A very common mistake made by many Americans. Even one that was made by Groundspeak on their list of countries, until I complained and it got changed immediately to the United Kingdom. Which by the way, despite all the differences within the termonology, you will get away with calling us British and the country either the United Kingdom (U.K.) or Great Britain (G.B.). If you refer to England, Scotland, N. Ireland or Wales, then you must mean that particular country. If I was asked to describe my nationality I would say Scottish / British. I hope that has helped Quote Link to comment
+Haggis Hunter Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Commonly interchangeable maybe.... but... Scottish Banknotes aren't legal tender in England - or indeed in Scotland! An interesting feature of the Scottish banknotes issue has been the fact that they have never, apart from under temporary provisions introduced in both World Wars, been "legal tender" even in Scotland, although they are, of course, accepted as legal currency. OOh, I like that... feels very quiz night. What was the source of the quote? I too would like to know the source of the quote, as if you look on any Scottish bank note you will see the word sterling printed on it. Better check your pound coins whilst you are at it, I bet you have got a scottish one on you?? Quote Link to comment
+lordelph Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 legal tender is complicated thing, start here! Quote Link to comment
+Birdman-of-liskatraz Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 But - Pound Coins with the Scottish Coat of Arms on are minted by the Bank of England. Scottish Banks are not allowed to mint coinage! Quote Link to comment
+Alibags Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 ...and of course, the Bank of England mint is actually located in Wales these days! Quote Link to comment
+Simply Paul Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 The Channel Islands aren't technically a part of the UK, but are a crown protectorate. They still have £1 notes, no VAT and the post boxes are blue. An ex girlfriend's parents used to live on Guernsey and I visited a couple of times. If you want to get really weird, look up the feudal laws of Sark, one of the smaller islands where car ownership isn't illegal, but driving one is... SP Quote Link to comment
+Birdman-of-liskatraz Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 It's something I recall from an Old Bank of Scotland film... most of which was about burning Millions of Pounds in banknotes... But the actual quote came from the link below... The Scottish Quote.... Quote Link to comment
+Mr Hedgehog Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I remember being told that when the UN or perhaps its forerunner was being set up the countries were to sit alphabetically. If we were Great Britain we would be sitting next to Greece. At least that would be better than being England and having to sit next to the French!! Quote Link to comment
alistair_uk Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 (edited) Well rynd above is the simple explanation but in reality it is far more complicated :-). For example we have Islands (including the Channel Islands) that are British because that swear allegiance to the Queen but are not part of Great Britain. As kbootb touched on the political boundaries can cause confusion. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Island are political boundaries while Ireland is a landmass that is actually part of the British Isles, but not Great Brittan. Did I touch on the declaration of proclamation and independent legislation? Probably best not to get on to that, as well as devolution. In summary we have a monarchy, a few governments, the odd few landmasses and even more countries whose border all overlap and have different names. Religion and culture also plays a part in places. As a general rule (as mentioned earlier) Great Britain is a governmental union of England, Scotland and Wales with Scotland having a slightly different legal system and Wales maintaining it’s own language in addition to English. The UK is Grate Britain and Northern Island. Northern Island is the part of Ireland governed by the same government as the rest of the UK but is in the process of governing it’s self subject to continued political and social will. Northern Island also has a separate road numbering system that may not be of interest to most, but I am a travel reporter so it is to me ;-). I only started writing this to take the mick out of the French and completely forgot to do so and look what happened (The British and French were never meant to get on). So does someone else want to explain Eurovision and Terry Wogan while we are here? Edited November 10, 2005 by alistair_uk Quote Link to comment
alistair_uk Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 The countries are England Scotland Northern Ireland And Wales is a Principality I though a principality was still a country. Quote Link to comment
+Kryten Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 The "Great" in Great Britain arises from the necessity to differentiate it from the original little Britain which is in France (a.k.a Brittany). There also was a time when northern France was ruled from England. Quote Link to comment
+Maingray Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 And how about the Independent Republic of Cornwall? Quote Link to comment
+MartyBartfast Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 And how about the Independent Republic of Cornwall? Birdman-of-liskatraz already brought that up: Yet nobody mentions the Independent Peoples Republic of Kernow Quote Link to comment
nobby.nobbs Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 Yet nobody mentions the Independent Peoples Republic of Kernow! and where does the Isle of Man fit in? 50,000 alcoholics clinging to a rock! Quote Link to comment
+Haggis Hunter Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 OK I can accept the fact that Scottish bank notes are not legal tender, but it makes me feel better to know that English bank notes are only legal tender in England, Wales, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. So they mean nout to us up here?? (visit link) Quote Link to comment
+Happy Humphrey Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 The Isle of Man is a Crown dependency, so not really an independent country but not part of the UK (or Great Britain), or the EU. It is part of the British Isles, however, as this is a geographical term. Just to make it more baffling, it is regarded as part of the UK for some purposes, and also part of the EU at times (on a vague, ad-hoc basis). It has its own currency, based on the British pound, and accepts British money as legal tender (although you can't use IOM currency outside the island). Is there any part of the world outside the British Isles where most of the residents aren't entirely sure what they should call the country they live in? It's all typically, confusingly, British. HH Quote Link to comment
+Alibags Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 At least that would be better than being England and having to sit next to the French!! ...and indeed the Scots and the Welsh too. It is indeed tough being English! Quote Link to comment
+Haggis Hunter Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 (edited) At least that would be better than being England and having to sit next to the French!! ...and indeed the Scots and the Welsh too. It is indeed tough being English! When God created Scotland, He looked down on it with great satisfaction. Finally He called the Archangel Gabriel to have a look. "Just see", said God. "This is the best yet. Splendid mountains, beautiful scenery, brave men, fine women, nice cool weather. And I've given them beautiful music and a special drink called whisky. Try some." Gabriel took an appreciative sip. "Excellent," he said. "But haven't you perhaps been too kind on them? Won't they be spoiled by all these things? Should there not be some drawback?" "Just wait till you see the neighbours they're getting," said God. Edit for spelling Edited November 10, 2005 by Haggis Hunter Quote Link to comment
+daleswalker Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 I think this thread displays very well the "quirkyness" with which a lot of other nationalities regard the British. As a patriotic Briton I think it is a good thing and in some ways it unites us all in these days of self rule. Quote Link to comment
Nediam Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 "Excellent," he said. "But haven't you perhaps been too kind on them? Won't they be spoiled by all these things? Should there not be some drawback?" "Just wait till you see the neighbours they're getting," said God. Them blasted midges are a bit of a drawback too! Quote Link to comment
+John Stead Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 OK I can accept the fact that Scottish bank notes are not legal tender, but it makes me feel better to know that English bank notes are only legal tender in England, Wales, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. So they mean nout to us up here?? (visit link) If English notes are of no use to you I'll send my address so you can send them to me - or perhaps CIN? Quote Link to comment
+Haggis Hunter Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 OK I can accept the fact that Scottish bank notes are not legal tender, but it makes me feel better to know that English bank notes are only legal tender in England, Wales, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. So they mean nout to us up here?? (visit link) If English notes are of no use to you I'll send my address so you can send them to me - or perhaps CIN? I would love to, however there is a slight glich in your thinking, all the notes up here are Scottish. Last time I seen an English note was back in July. Oh Yeah I was in England at the time. Quote Link to comment
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