What does it mean when a man says he is English?

Answer 1

The UK (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) is actually four countries. Northern Ireland is the north easternmost part of the island of Ireland. Scotland is the the northernmost part of the island of Great Britain. Wales is on the west of the island of Great Britain, and England forms the main southern part of Great Britain. So, someone who says he is English comes from England. Because England is a part of Great Britain, the man is also British. There are a lot of smaller islands dotted around the coast, and they are Irish, Scottish, Welsh or English, depending upon which major part of the main island of Great Britain they are closest to. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own national parliaments, whereas England does not have a national parliament. The famous Houses of Parliament in London is the national parliament for England AND for the UK. For quite a long time, the English were so dominant in the affairs of the UK that the term "English" was regarded by them as entirely interchangeable with "British" - and this was especially true during World War II. However, the quickest way to upset a present-day Scot, Welshman or Northern Irelander is to call them English!