british

[flammableBen]

Switzerland is in Europe geographically yes, but in a political union sense no.  However that's irrelevant to the Ireland/GB issue, the point I made regarding Ireland was Northern Ireland is not part of Great Britain, so how can Eire be, if NI is not?

I meant that both are part of the British Isles and in that sense British, geographically in the same way that Switzerland is European. British Isles != Great Britain.

[Reg Smeeton]

Like it STA, good pedantic work.

Interestingly, my grandad was born in Prague in Austria-Hungary, my Mum in Prague in Czechoslovakia, and a cousin in Prague in the Czech Republic.  My dad's family is from L'viv in Ukraine, which has been called Lemberg (by the Germans when they ran it) and Lvov by the Russians and Poles.

Stalingrad was orignially Tsaritsyn, and is now Volgograd.  Leningrad was St Petersberg, Petrograd for a few years and now St Petersberg again.

All these changes in the 20th Century...by far my favourite century from a European History point of view.

I may have had a point when I started...but I may not have.

Oh, I reckon Brezovan's first name is Petr, rather than Peter...

 You'd have enjoyed my post that Zlin was called Gotwaldov, from the 50's to the 90's then.  Of course it's Petr....pet

[donkey]

You'd have enjoyed my post that Zlin was called Gotwaldov, from the 50's to the 90's then.  Of course it's Petr....pet

Indeed, although being a committed anti communist (and anti fascist whlist we're about it), the reason for the name change was not good.  Was interesting, of course (as most of your posts are, oh learned one).

[BANGKOK RED]

Do they use Sterling in N. Ireland?

[janaage]

I meant that both are part of the British Isles and in that sense British, geographically in the same way that Switzerland is European. British Isles != Great Britain.

So why the differentiator on the passports then (genuine question), United Kingdom of Great Britain AND NORTHERN IRELAND it's stated as.

Why is NI not included in the GB bit if it's part of Great Britain?  Surely if Ireland (Northern or Southern) was part of the British isles the passport would read the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

[flammableBen]

Because Northern Island and Ireland aren't part of Great Britain. I didn't say that they were. The British Isles isn't the same as Great Britain.

[donkey]

So why the differentiator on the passports then (genuine question), United Kingdom of Great Britain AND NORTHERN IRELAND it's stated as.

Why is NI not included in the GB bit if it's part of Great Britain?  Surely if Ireland (Northern or Southern) was part of the British isles the passport would read the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

Jan, you are right.  NI is part of the UK (a political entity), not part of GB (a political entity), but is part of the British Isles (a geographical entity).  I'm off out now, play nicely children  

[Reg Smeeton]

Indeed, although being a committed anti communist (and anti fascist whlist we're about it), the reason for the name change was not good.  Was interesting, of course (as most of your posts are, oh learned one).

 Nowt to do with me really I've a Czech lady friend, who tells me stuff like this..although in her 20's she remembers going to Gottwaldov to visit relos.  She also thought it was hugely amusing that STFC lost to Zlin 

[BANGKOK RED]

As I see it Great Britain is the mainland, and the British Isles are formed of the mainland the surrounding Islands.

[janaage]

Really???  The penny has dropped.

I can't understand how a Province can be part of the "British Isles" but not part of "Great Britain".

Still don't make the average southern Paddy a brit though!

[flammableBen]

Mo it

Really???  The penny has dropped.

I can't understand how a Province can be part of the "British Isles" but not part of "Great Britain".

Still don't make the average southern Paddy a brit though!

No it doesn't. I was just saw a loop hole and used the term to wind you up again. too easy.

[janaage]

Nah man I'm passed winding up, seeing this as an educational thread now fella!!

From a third party webiste (not TEF endorsed)

"Is Ireland in the British Isles?
After writing this article someone sent me an email telling me that the Island of Ireland is not in the British Isles, and that to suggest it is is insulting to the people who live there.

Whoever sent me the email (they didn’t bother to leave a name or return address) seems to have missed a few of the distinctions I’ve made above between political concepts and geographical ones. ‘The British Isles’ is a geographical entity, not a political one. Including Ireland in the definition does not make the Republic of Ireland ‘British’ in a political sense, merely part of the British Isles in a geographical sense. Hopefully some quotes from dictionaries will help demonstrate the point."

Fair enough.

[Reg Smeeton]

 Personally I prefer the classical geographical nomenclature of Britannia ( GB) and Hibernia (Ireland)

[janaage]

Personally I prefer the classical geographical nomenclature of Britannia ( GB) and Hibernia (Ireland)

"Hibernia(n)"  That'd make a good name for a football club Reg!!  Bloody Celts stealing Hibs idea!!

[BANGKOK RED]

Really???  The penny has dropped.

I can't understand how a Province can be part of the "British Isles" but not part of "Great Britain".

Still don't make the average southern Paddy a brit though!

Try to think of it in a literal sense Jan, which was why my previous post was simplified.

Britain is the mainland, just like many other countries have a mainland and neighbouring islands. Other countries tend to call their mainland just that: The Mainland whereas we however call our mainland Great Britain.

And so when you ask your question, just replace the words "Great Britain" with "The Mainland". As well as Great Britain being a political entity and a geographical entity, it is also a noun.