why do the English refer to private schools as "public" schools?

Question

This has long puzzled me...

Answer 1

Because the local public themselves are operating their schools..
Infact it is their bussiness..
the education businnes...
& this business is their private business..
so the private schools are private( Businesses)
.

Answer 2

a goochy tin shed survey revealed;

hey i dont know if this rave will help ya but istudied social politics
social behavours econmic,law at uni learnt about the the welfare
state in this country & USA UK

I was lucky enough to travel to England in 2004 one thing i was spun out on that young people are in the papers everyday for crimes we see once in a Blue moon here in australia,,,there social welfare state is pretty shocking like if youz were below the poverty line there youd be doing it harder then a third world country if youz were homeless theyz give you a new cardboardbox then on the other end of the spectrum you a hve a wider gap betwen poverty the working class the upper class with the upper class realy standing out....gooch

Wazza rekons that you could ring his uncle he lives therz if not ask a english dude.......

Mate thats ONLY on TV that you watch in OTHER countrys................stoner

crickey mate thats what our government is trying to do here by taking all the money out of public education......... Miss .Australian Teachers Union.

Answer 3

After the American Revolution in 1776, when we had lost the colonies, King George convened a special meeting of the privy council. It was decided, as payback to the Americans, to begin saying things in a way that would annoy and confuse them. It isn't a big act of revenge, but it seems to work. :)

Answer 4

because english is very prvately taught in previous times.