why do english people ,when referring to any thing british,call it english?

Question

when we were on holiday,we met english couple and they would ask "WHAT DO U WORK AT BACK IN ENGLAND"even though im from belfast living in glasgow.

Answer 1

i realise now since moving to Wales i had just got in the habit of it.

Answer 2

Part 1 Not every English Person - I dont!
Only an English Speaking Foreigner would ask part 2>
An Englishman would never phrase a question in that way!
If you are from Belfast and living in Glasgow you must have an accent or be an immigrant so the question I'd ask would be, "Are you working here (in England) or (in whatever country we were in) or on Holiday?" I'd Then ask where you were from.

Answer 3

It's kind of an ownership thing I think. England is part of Great Britain, but often becomes interchangeable with the term British.

I know an English fellow who will call anything that is made in England English, but anything made in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, hell, even in the Irish Republic, he calls British! Mind you, this makes my Welsh and Irish friends utterly livid, but he keeps on with it.

So long story short, I think it's some kind of residual imperialism. The English don't like to be reminded that they don't have an Empire spanning the globe anymore, so they get a little pushy and testy about what they still have (or in the case of Ireland, Australia, India and America, would like to have).

Answer 4

It may seem arrogant but globally speaking england and britain mean the same thing in most countries.And of course anyone from england abroad would refer to home as england.
Like it or not , england is the senior partner of all british states, through history, monarchy and government rule.
Its nothing personal and not that important....unless your a scot with a chip on your shoulder about being ruled by the english.(even though its the english taxpayers keeping you afloat)

Answer 5

Surely, it is not possible for one to be British. How can you have been born in four different countries?.
No. You can be someone who comes from Britain. But you can only be either English, Irish, Welsh or Scottish.

Strangely though when asked it is only the English who seem reluctant to say they are English. The others are all proud of their heritage......and say so forcebly.

Anyway the UK is such a Multi Cultural Society now that who knows,or cares, where you come from?

Answer 6

Oh Dear, you really have put the cat among the pigeons haven`t you ? We really must not fall out over this`teeny` incident, so come on now, when I blow the whistle I want the Irish to line up next to the Welsh, and the Scots to line up next to the Irish. The English of course will be the leaders!

Answer 7

And your point is ??? England is within Britain is it not - so whats the problem. If its made in England rather than Scotland Wales or Ireland then its English . British is too much of a generalisation xx

Answer 8

Because the English kicked all the celtic kingdoms asses at one time or another and rightly feel that it is now theirs. Nah just kidding. By the way it was the British Empire not the English so that kind of hints at them all working together

Answer 9

Most people do that - in particular American - they seem to believe in general that everything in Britain is in England or English - can't grasp the concept of Wales and Scotland.

Answer 10

References to culture and history by English people are often specifically English and hence British would be inappropriate. Please post some examples for a more concise explanation.

Answer 11

because they cant except that their contribution to the UK is nil and if it wasn't for the Scots the Irish the Welsh were would they be but a french colony so they are experts at stealing other UK members thunder but we love them any way well some of the time ......we are a melting pot so they tell us believe that and well make up your own mind........used to be proud to say I was Brit even though it seems I was only part of a colony but having read some of the answers role on self gov me Scot used to be British geese they really are dumb just didn't see a good thing when you had it how sad your being invaded and please don't call on us Scots been there done it and no thanks Hadrian's wall is going to be rebuilt now there is no surprise how come all the non English answers are getting a thumbs down sorry if I have insulted my English colleagues but its just friendly banter you know what we Scots are like grow up we like you honest