[snip]
> It's the kind of thing you tend to pick up once you learn when the terms "Britain", "Great Britain", "The British Isles" and "The United Kingdom" apply.
[snip]

OK, can someone tell me when exactly each of these should be used? Also, what about the term "England"? I have wondered for years about when each of these terms is correct for use, but have never been able to discern it on my own, and have never been told directly. I do know that sometimes I use the wrong term around someone who knows better, and get the cold shoulder or at least a stern reprimand, but that hasn't helped me, since it doesn't happen often enough.

A detailed description of all the relevant political/geographical/historical reasons would be nice, if someone has the time and desire to post one.

> winter"I can't think of anything apropriate to go here"mute

Don "I want to sort this out once and for all. Then I'll probably print the post off and keep it in my wallet forever. :-)" Monkey