UK, how can I name thee? Let me count the ways;
JackRiddler (1000+ posts)
Mon Mar-09-09 06:06 PM
Response to Reply #31
79. If you're going to correct, you have to get it right.
Let me guess: Wikipedia?
Your definition of England is vague at best, though I'd call it plain wrong: What does "political entity" mean? What does "within all of the above" mean?
England is a country on the island of Great Britain, as are Scotland and Wales. It is a nation, a territory, a people. One might view the state based in London as "a political entity within all of the above," but England is a country. (That each of the three countries of Britain has its own national football team provides a testament higher than religious writ.)
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (official title) probably covers the Channel Islands, but otherwise does not to my knowledge include "overseas territories, colonies, etc.," not even the ones where Britain still has sovereignty, like the Falklands. That would be the British Commonwealth, a loose association of all former territories of the British Empire.
Here's the pretty good Apple Computer (OSX) dictionary, QUOTE:
Great Britain is the name for the island that comprises England, Scotland, and Wales. The term came into official use in 1603, when King James I (who was also James VI of Scotland) acceded to the throne of England and Wales. Scotland joined this legislative union in 1707. The United Kingdom includes Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The British Isles include the United Kingdom and surrounding, smaller islands. The all-encompassing adjective British is unlikely to offend anyone from any of these places. Welsh, Scottish, and English should be used only if you are sure of a person’s specific origin.
England was conquered by the Romans in the first century ad, when it was inhabited by Celtic peoples. It was a Roman province until the early 5th century. During the 3rd–7th centuries Germanic-speaking tribes, traditionally known as Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, established a number of independent kingdoms here. England emerged as a distinct political entity in the 9th century before being conquered by William, Duke of Normandy, in 1066.
((WHO WAS - SHUDDER - A FRENCH VIKING!!! DIEU ET MON DROIT!))
arcadian (1000+ posts)
Mon Mar-09-09 04:11 PM
Response to Reply #1
31. Actually that's not correct.
Great Britain includes England, Scotland and Wales. It is an island.
The United Kingdom includes Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all overseas territories, colonies, etc.
England is a political entity within all of the above.
Terran (1000+ posts)
Tue Mar-10-09 02:20 PM
Response to Reply #86
149. Oh my god.
Could you be any more dense? British "dependencies" are not a part of the UK. Kinda like the US and Guam or Puerto Rico.
Pacifist Patriot (1000+ posts)
Tue Mar-10-09 09:30 AM
Response to Reply #79
115. arcadian is absolutely correct
quibble over the definition of political entity all you like, but the original descriptions stands as valid.
MillieJo (129 posts)
Tue Mar-10-09 10:26 AM
Response to Reply #79
131. My passport says United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland....The UK or the United Kingdom is my country on international forms for goods or simply signing up for a forum like this, I am always from the United Kingdom..
On forms inside the UK, I am British which means that I am a citizen of Great Britain which means
England, Scotland or Wales. It is very confusing because we have so many names and that is without the
complication of The Isle Of Man which has an independent government but are still British Passport holders and non EU.
The Channel Islands are also complicated.
We also have the name The British Isles which is the name of the group pf Islands and does include The Isle Of Man and The Channel Islands, Ireland and The Scilly Isles etc.
Pacifist Patriot (1000+ posts)
Tue Mar-10-09 02:54 PM
Response to Reply #152
157. Hmmm....I've had many a go round in a pub about that last question of yours.
It is apparently perfectly acceptable to say you are Scottish or Welsh, but if you are English you say you are British. Even though Scottish and Welsh people are also British. Seriously though. Watch the international news. If someone is a citizen of the United Kingdom and accomplishes something they will be identified as Irish, Scottish, Welsh or British. Not as common to see someone identified as English.
On the other hand, ask a visitor to the U.S. where he or she comes from and if he or she hails from one of the English counties they will say they are from England.
Cronus Protagonist (1000+ posts)
Mon Mar-09-09 04:23 PM
Response to Reply #1
42. FAIL lol 
Edited on Mon Mar-09-09 04:24 PM by Cronus Protagonist
England is only PART of the UK. Great Britain refers only to the British Islands themselves. The United Kingdom includes the remaining territories like the Falkland Islands and Northern Ireland.
Yeah, all that and the dude at Wal-Mart is the nimrod? The turd in the punch bowl showed up;
Political Heretic (1000+ posts)
Mon Mar-09-09 05:45 PM
Response to Reply #1
72. Heh.... nimrod eh?
Doh!
What a bunch of elitist losers.
KC
