Expert: Graham Thomas - 7/27/2005

Question
It's a little thing, I know.  But do people from England refer to themselves as being English or British?  Are the terms completely interchangeable, or are there certain particularities (is that a word?) to each?

Thank you.
Kathy Banghart
Lansing, Michigan, USA

Answer
Dear Kathy

Well this is a tricky one...

We usually use English to differentiate ourselves from the Scottish, Welsh and Irish.

Having said that it is really personal usage to a large extent  - I dont think someone from Scotland for instance would ever refer to themselves as British

We refer to ourselves as British globally  - so if I were abroad I would say I was British. English to me has connotations of flag waving and jingoistic patriotism...

Hope this has helped...

G