What do you think of the word “Brit”?

[Juliette96]

Is it true that a lot of British people get upset when they are called “Brits” as opposed to “Britons”? Do you prefer the latter? Or, do you prefer “Britannics”?

Why does this sound like one of those god awful questions on Quora?

Could be a drunk bot. It is Friday afternoon, after all 🍺

Or a slightly niche fizzy drink?

Yes, though also 'BRITS OUT' which is probably the original context in which I usually saw it most. I had to reimagine it as a neutral for Britpop etc.

I find it slightly irritating to be called a 'Brit'. It's mildly annoying - probably a bit like being called a Yank would be (particularly to someone from the South).

I'm English and DH is Scottish. Those are our nationalities. We haven't been Britons since about the last Roman invasion and the word Britannic does not exist.

Just refer to us as Welsh, Scottish, English or Irish if you want to not annoy people.

Britannic was an ocean liner, it doesn't refer to people...

I don't really care about the word British - I have to use it when I fill in forms sometimes and there is no other option, but I never call myself it - I'm Welsh. And when people from other countries clock my accent and ask if I am British I tell them I am Welsh, because there does seem to be this thing with people in certain countries equating British with being English. And I am not English.

You're both British.

Like the song!

Rule Britannic. Britannic rules the waves 🎶🎶🎵

My first thought is ‘Brits Out’ so not great I suppose. Interesting question. What inspired you to ask and where are you from?

🙄

I identify as more as British than anything else. (Born and raised in England but Welsh grandfather, Welsh name and Welsh husband makes me not completely English.)

I have no problem with Brit.

snap

Not really thought about it till now. But it does sound a bit naff. Not sure why?!

Not as bad as Pom

My passport used to (and maybe still does) have a page that starts with:

Her Britannic Majesty's principal secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs requests and requires in the name of Her Majesty... (something about giving all assistence needed).

I'm not posh enough to be Britannic. I refer to myself as British rather than Scottish, Welsh or English or Northen Irish as I'm a right old mix of all of them and more besides.

Why the roll eyes?

What nationality are they when they go abroad?

Yes, but the question was 'what do you think of the word Brit' and I answered that it is mildly annoying.

Despite being 'British' or a citizen of the United Kingdom it's not how we identify ourselves. But thanks for telling me what I should think.

I didn't tell you what you should think.

Because the poster clearly said - only to call them British if you want to annoy them and that is exactly what you did. I never understand people who just want to piss others off for their own kicks. She's Scottish wherever she goes - you can be picky about national identity versus a distinct legal nationality if you want. But you're only doing it to be pedantic. Do you call Aboriginal people Australian?

No, she objected to being called a "Brit". Specifically.

I'd say British but couldn't get animated about being called a Brit. I was born in Scotland to a Scottish mother, but mostly lived in England and have an English father. So I always refer to myself as British rather than English/Scottish

There's that pedantry again.

Whilst not a nationality, I guess I could say I’m Cornish. Apparently it’s a “national minority”.

Answering the OP, what I would think would depend a great deal on who was saying it, where it was being said, and most importantly the context in which it came up.

I call myself a Brit all the time when talking to Americans online. Apart from anything else, it explains my spelling and word choices. And some of my political positions. Don’t understand why anyone would be bothered.