Do many Americans know the difference between Great Britain and the United Kingdom?

Question

My American brother-in-law thought the St. George flag was the British flag.

Answer 1

I am sure there is much we Americans don't know about the differences between the concepts of GB and the UK. I say this as a US High School Social Studies teacher who knows his students use the names of G.B., England, and the UK interchangeably without seeing any difference.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

The United Kingdom is a country that consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In fact, the official name of the country is "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
Great Britain is the name of the island that consists of three regions: England, Wales and Scotland, by which are not countries on their own but form the United Kingdom which is.

The remaining portion of the island of Ireland (that which is not the U.K.'s Northern Ireland) is an independent country called the Republic of Ireland (Eire).
The flag of Britain, known as the Union Jack features,
the red cross of St George, for England, on a white background;
the white diagonal cross of St Andrew, for Scotland, on a blue background; and the red diagonal cross ascribed to St Patrick, for Ireland, on a white background.
and yes...I am an American living in the UK, but before moving here I had no clue what the crosses meant on the Union Jack

Answer 3

Are you kidding? Most American can't tell you the correct number of stars and stripes on our own flag. You would be lucky if they named the right three colors. Why in the world would they make it a point to remember which flag is British and which flag is the St. George flag? BTW, I've never heard of this St. George place or seen its flag and you shouldn't be surprised if most other Americans haven't either. You should go easy on your American brother-in-law and just go drink some Earl Grey with him.

Answer 4

You would be amazed at how little americans know of Great Britain.

I recently gave a lecture at a local high school. During the question and answer session, i was asked from several students, where is England, Where is the United Kingdom, and Where is Great Britain located.

I was shocked, I turned to their teacher and asked: "Do you teach these kids Anything"?
The younger generation for sure know's very little about the world outside their immediate community. I'm sorry to say that this is a common phenomenon throughout american for the past 30 years.

Answer 5

Chris in Seattle - don't believe all that you see on the Simpson's. I presume you're overweight, live in a big house, take drugs and play baseball - because that's what we see on the telly.

Also - do many people from Great Britain know the difference?

PM of Canada - Stephen Harper.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Answer 6

I'm Australian, and certainly know the Union Jack, but honestly don't know the difference between the United Kingdom and Great Britain, but would like to!

Answer 7

Yes, well!!!! that says it all about most Yanks, but you may be surprised at how few UK/GB citizens know the difference, and certainly very few could tell you how the UK came to be named and when the various flags were incorporated into the Union Flag (Not the Union Jack)

Answer 8

Are you including Canadians, Mexicans, Central Americans, and South Americans in this survey? It seems that everyone on this site only believes that Americans are from the United States, when, in fact, we are North American as are our neighbors to the north and south. Do you think most Brits realize this?

Answer 9

I do and I am stationed here in the military. It is amazing when I ask people questions similar to this and they don't know. Then again most think I can come home for any holiday just to be with family and friends. Then I have to tell them I'm in the service and flying my tail off trying to keep the world safe.

Answer 10

i dont know the difference and i live here st george flag is england flag