The name Britain descends from the Latin name for the island of Great Britain, Britannia or Brittānia, the land of the Britons via the Old French Bretaigne (whence also Modern French Bretagne) and Middle English Bretayne, Breteyne. The term Great Britain was first used officially in 1474.
The use of the word “Great” before “Britain” originates in the French language, which uses Bretagne for both Britain and Brittany. French therefore distinguishes between the two by calling Britain la Grande Bretagne, a distinction which was transferred into English.
1. The Ancient Greeks were the first to use some variant of ‘Great Britain’
> The Greco-Egyptian scientist Ptolemy referred to the larger island as great Britain (µɛyán Βρεττανία megale Bretitania) and to Ireland as little Britain (ulkpà BpɛTTavia mikra Brettania)
2. ‘Great Britain’ is the name of the island (as you acknowledge), not the country. The politicians called the country the “United Kingdom” because it was a kingdom that united. As country names go, it’s a pretty accurately descriptive one.
Why are so many memes on this page quite clearly not made by actual British people.
I’m British and either call it Britain or The UK, can’t bring myself after living here for 48 years to call it “Great”
He wanted to make sure the British know what we did… like they don’t fuck up their own drilling and fracking, plus now we have the new bell-end in charge over there who wants to go at it with hammer and tongs, the fat orange wanker.
Tbh you only get great in your title when steal enough
Greater Manchester one upping Britain
No it isn’t.
Is there a Little Grimsby?
cos we’ve got a Great Grimsby. Which I like.
be proud.
and it would be called Amazing Britain if some of you pulled your socks up. 😝
Grand Brittany, named by the French. (Normans) from Normandy. Or so I was taught at school.
This sub is 99% yanks
Gets so tedious, not a single one of them gets British culture or humour
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Is that like The **World Series**?
From Wikipedia:
The name Britain descends from the Latin name for the island of Great Britain, Britannia or Brittānia, the land of the Britons via the Old French Bretaigne (whence also Modern French Bretagne) and Middle English Bretayne, Breteyne. The term Great Britain was first used officially in 1474.
The use of the word “Great” before “Britain” originates in the French language, which uses Bretagne for both Britain and Brittany. French therefore distinguishes between the two by calling Britain la Grande Bretagne, a distinction which was transferred into English.
1. The Ancient Greeks were the first to use some variant of ‘Great Britain’
> The Greco-Egyptian scientist Ptolemy referred to the larger island as great Britain (µɛyán Βρεττανία megale Bretitania) and to Ireland as little Britain (ulkpà BpɛTTavia mikra Brettania)
2. ‘Great Britain’ is the name of the island (as you acknowledge), not the country. The politicians called the country the “United Kingdom” because it was a kingdom that united. As country names go, it’s a pretty accurately descriptive one.
Why are so many memes on this page quite clearly not made by actual British people.
I’m British and either call it Britain or The UK, can’t bring myself after living here for 48 years to call it “Great”
I remember Obama emphasising “British Petroleum” when talking about said BP’s screwing up in the Gulf of Mexico when [drilling for oil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon_oil_spill).
He wanted to make sure the British know what we did… like they don’t fuck up their own drilling and fracking, plus now we have the new bell-end in charge over there who wants to go at it with hammer and tongs, the fat orange wanker.
Tbh you only get great in your title when steal enough
Greater Manchester one upping Britain
No it isn’t.
Is there a Little Grimsby?
cos we’ve got a Great Grimsby. Which I like.
be proud.
and it would be called Amazing Britain if some of you pulled your socks up. 😝
Grand Brittany, named by the French. (Normans) from Normandy. Or so I was taught at school.
This sub is 99% yanks
Gets so tedious, not a single one of them gets British culture or humour
Largest Island???? Australia Anyone???
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