ENGLISH OR BRITISH.
The Spectator wishes ‘That (his question of ‘England’ or ‘Britain’ could be set I led satisfactorily, for the outbursts of the touchy champions of'Britain’ rather overwhelm us at times. Besides, it is always disagreeable to find that one has offended friends when no offence was intended. Peace and security might be attained, people tell us, by making an absolute rule never to say ‘England’ and ‘English’ (except of course, when we are talking of England as a geographical area distinct from Scotland. Wales, and Ireland) when we mean ‘Britain' and ‘British.’ We are tempted —though not, perhaps, more than tempted—to say that if such an absolute rule were practicable we would accept it, and part for ever with the precious and beautiful word ‘England.’ with it> loose though sullieiently understood racial significance. But an absolute rule is not practicable. ‘British’ is not always interchangeable with ‘English.’ Does anyone seriously propose, for instance, that we should talk of the ‘British’ language’ or of ‘British literature ?
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19161021.2.27
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1627, 21 October 1916, Page 4
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167ENGLISH OR BRITISH. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1627, 21 October 1916, Page 4
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