I agree it's not that important, but -hang on a minute while I put my pedantic head on again...... Right, here we go. Britain is the main island consisting of England, Scotland and Wales and all the smaller attendant islands. Ireland (both parts) is a separate island, and not a part of Great Britain. Northern Ireland is a political entity that is part of the larger political entity called the "United Kingdom(s) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" Informally calling everyone from the UK a "Brit" is common but wrong. Andy Murray is Scottish, therefore also British, BR is not. For historical reasons the boundaries are often blurred and I think many Irishmen have dual nationality. BR would, presumably, hold a UK passport.
Let me put my even more pedantic head on It all depends on whether you are using British as the national adjective or the regional adjective. The convention is to use the national adjective rather than the regional adjective. For example "American" is generally used to refer to people from the USA, rather than from the continent(s) of America. "Australian" refers to people from the Commonwealth of Australia, rather than the Australian continent. On that same basis, I would argue it is acceptable to use "British" as the national adjective for the United Kingdom. Otherwise what is the national adjective for the UK? As an aside, I think all people born in Northern Ireland are entitled to dual nationality if they wish, and can choose to represent either national side.
If he holds a UK passport under the full title you gave above (United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland he can call himself British; Yes he was not born in Great Britain, he was born in the (if he wants to view it that way, UK) If he wants to; he can also hold a (as it stands; not getting into that particular debate) hold a Republic of Ireland passport as well making him dual nationality by choice. You can as a citizen of NI, 6 counties whatever you want to call it hold only one of the above & state your nationality as such if you so choose. Large parts of the Unionist community avidly hold to the "British" title for political identity reasons. Is it geographically correct? Probably not. But the right to name themselves such is recognised by both the existing UK & Republic governments. It's a tricky one here. I Am from a decidedly mixed political & religious background. If someone asked me what I was I would state I am both British & Irish in the same way the Murray would claim to be Scottish & British. I hold a UK passport simply because my parents did. I could get an Irish passport as well. While I am perfectly in sync culturally with my fellow Citizens on the whole of this Island I have not obtained an Irish passport for no more reason than a slight cultural leaning inherited from my parents. I have my own political views that are again largely a great big mix of left & right depending on the specific topic. I generally veer away from this sort of "identity" for exactly the following reason: If I came on here an simply declared myself "British" some members of my community would say that equals Brit, Prod, Unionist. I find that largely an incorrect description of me. I have a richer cultural identity & history than that. To stick with narrow labels would betray part of what makes me: Me! It's my pet hate here that people freely confuse the religious labelling with the political. So if BR or McIlroy want to call themselves both or even just British, only those avidly opposed to their political & cultural stance (however minor & superficial that stance is) would really need to oppose the terminology they use. To the rest of us, it's a declaration of what colour jersey they'll wear at the Olympics. Another less politically heated example might be Raheem Sterling. If he elects to play for Jamaica is he required to have a Jamaican passport & call himself Jamaican? Or can he remain British?
Now you're using your informal pedantic head, whereas I was using my official pedantic head. And I did say this: and I stand by it. As far as I'm aware there is no collective noun or adjective for UK nationals and I concede that everyone uses and understands Brit to mean it. It's still wrong though, and can lead to misunderstandings. AM is British because he comes from Great Britain- even if Scotland were to secede from the UK they would still be part of Great Britain. Also, I would imagine there's a sizeable contingent in NI who resent being called British. I'm going to jack this in now- I wouldn't want people to think I was a bore.
I think you'll find that Ulster is part of Great Britain (hence Team GB) but that it is not part of the United Kingdom (check the front cover of your passport.) Eire, on the other hand, is part of the British Isles. I know, I know, I need to get out more... GKRK
Now look, you've started me off again. It's the other way round, NI is part of the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland" Team GB is, I think, officially known as the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team but the shortened version is the only one that's used.
Brendan Rodgers being from Northern Ireland would hold a UK passport, his currency would also be pound sterling and not euro too. As you have to spend pound sterling the far side of Dundalk on the Dundalk/Newry border.
Who cares where he's from, he's an alright player (still the best we've had in a long time, doesn't say much though) but not a likeable character with all his constant moaning, complaining and whinging. He had a fairly easy run in to the final and should count himself lucky that he didn't have to play Nadal, Federer or Djokovic in the semi's for various reasons. Great game in the final, congratulations and all, now he can go back to moaning and complaining whilst losing semi finals and being the forgotten man of British tennis in the wake of three outstanding players.
Ha ha; don't use that one! The currency currently used in Northern Ireland is NOT officially pounds sterling. It's says it on it: but Gordon Brown as exchequer wrote a letter responding to why shops on mainland had a right to refuse that funny northern Ireland money. He confirmed that the only legitimate promissory notes (paper currency) were those issued by the bank of England. So officially our (NI/Scotland) currency isn't official. But this again is the silliness of paper currency as it is not actually technically money. It is a note from the bank that issued it promising the equivalent amount of said money held at the bank itself to the bearer of the note. They used to be hand written at the banks themselves. So in that case, since all the uk banks agree to accept all uk bank notes the stupid mainland shops are just showing their ignorance. Reward said stupidity with lack of custom says I. You'll find all the big retailers drum it into their staff to accept it all. Off point but I've dealt with that in previous post. Just sad & think this is interesting.
What a f*****g idiot you are. Nadal was injured and Federer lost in the quarters. How the hell is that Murray's fault? He beat Djokovic who is considered to be one of the all time greats. Whether you like him or not, he is the best player BRITAIN has ever produced.
If you are being officially pedantic, then the collective name for the archipelago which includes Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Hebrides, Shetlands etc is the British Isles. In fact, the British Isles is the superior name - Great Britain is so called because it is the largest (or greatest ) of the British Isles. Like Gran Canaria. Therefore you can officially refer to anyone from any part of the island of Ireland as being British, as they were born in the British Isles. Might piss the paddies off if you do tho'.... As an amusing side, the Romans named Great Britain, and correspondingly referred to Ireland as "Little Britain". Historians believe this is because there were so many Irish gays in the village...
Actually the NI currency is officially pounds sterling. Brown's letter simply spelt out the legal position, which is that shops are in no way obliged to accept any form of payment from anyone if they don't want. You can't force a shopkeeper to sell you anything - the purchase is a contract so they can freely decline to enter into it even if you offer payment in Bank of England notes. The only reason it became an issue with NI notes was retailers didn't recognise them, so weren't sure they were genuine notes.
Tell me about it. Had to withdraw two grand yesterday to buy foreign currency and it was bright purple. Looked like the world's most garish Monopoly money...
Actually it's even more technical than that. Coins & bank of England notes are the only Legal Tender. In England & Wales. Using a service other than a shop is easier way to show the difference. If I get my car fixed in England and offer to pay in bank of Ireland sterling notes, the mechanic can refuse them & I still owe the mechanic for the service provided. If I offered to pay in bank of England notes & for some insane reason he refused; there would no longer be a debt. It's increasingly becoming a non issue as debit cards are fast replacing notes & coins. Although my recent experience with Natwest/Ulsterbank shows the possible dangers there.
