British or English - Join the discussion
Many people think that 'English' is the same as 'British'. It is not!
People who are English are from the country of England. On the other hand, British people are people who live in Great Britain (Britain) and the UK.
All though everyone in the UK has a British citizenship they have different nationalities.
England is only one of the three countries in Britain (Scotland, England and Wales). The Scots and the Welsh sometimes get angry when they are referred to as 'English'. They do not live in England and they have their own parliaments, so why should they take their identity from England? They have their own identity.
There are often distinct differences between people living in each of the three countries in Britain. This is because different groups of people tend to develop their own customs and way of life.
British [n] the people of Great Britain
National identity and citizenship are not always the same thing in Great Britain or the UK
Most white people born in Great Britain, although British citizens, do not regard themselves as British and prefer to state their national identity as English, Scottish or Welsh.
England
People born in England are called English or British and can say that they live in England, Britain and/or the UK. Most people in England tend to say they are British rather than English.
Slang terms sometimes used for the English include "Sassenachs" (from the Scots Gaelic), "Limeys" (in reference to the citrus fruits carried aboard English sailing vessels to prevent scurvy) and "Pom / Pommy" (used in Australian English and New Zealand English).
Scotland
People born in Scotland are called Scottish or British and can say that they live in Scotland, Britain and/or the UK.
Most people in Scotland will say they are Scottish rather than British.
Wales
People born in Wales are called Welsh or British and can say that they live in Wales, Britain and/or the UK. Most people in Wales will say they are Welsh rather than British.
Related pages
British or English? Read other people's views
Are the people in Britain ethnically diverse?
What is the difference between Great Britain, England and the UK?
