The British Isles or Islands of the North Atlantic?

darkman2 · 27-08-2008 02:04AM #1

Its a term that inevitably raises eyebrows in Irish circles - 'the British Isles' - and most find it objectionable at best. This is because the term inextricably carries political overtones perhaps best avoided in this part of the world. The British themselves dont see it that way of course. They proudly parade the term as much as possible and will say its only a geographical term. They are right but subconciously the term itself harks back to a time of Empire and a pretentiousness on their part that Irish people have no problem being taken under their umbrella in a geographical sense. The Irish Government does not recognise the term. A new term has emerged in recent years though that is increasingly becoming seen as the right compromise. 'IONA' is an acronym for 'Islands of the North Atlantic' and is seen as neutral term acceptable to everyone.

What do you think?

InFront · 27-08-2008 02:19AM

I have no problems with the term British Isles; I don't find geography particularly offensive!

AlmightyCushion · 27-08-2008 02:24AM

I honestly couldn't care, although I do find the term Islands of the North Atlantic a bit of a mouthful and can sound more than a little rediculous. So british isles for me.

JIZZLORD · 27-08-2008 02:27AM

i couldnt care less!

brianthebard · 27-08-2008 02:27AM

Atlantic archipelago ftw!!!srsly, there was a sh1tstorm of a thread on this before.

darkman2 · 27-08-2008 02:28AM

I should have put an option for 'neither' in the poll - if any mods feel like editing it:o

It is not a big deal - the name IMO but I think alot just wont use 'British Isles'. You wont hear Brian Cowen saying it tomorrow thats for sure.

Holsten · 27-08-2008 02:35AM

I dislike The British Isles.

The British and Irish Isles or Islands of the North Atlantic would be my preference.

magick · 27-08-2008 02:39AM

Ireland isnt part of Britian so how about British and Irish Isles.

hussey · 27-08-2008 02:39AM

British isles, not exactly a big deal to me.

Dublin1600 · 27-08-2008 02:42AM

darkman2 wrote: »

I should have put an option for 'neither' in the poll - if any mods feel like editing it:.

How about adding the option, "darkman2 needs to get out more and get laid." I'd vote for that.

eggplantman · 27-08-2008 02:43AM

sorry,dont care for british

Dafonz · 27-08-2008 02:50AM

never refer to it as anything but wouldn't say british isles thats for sure.

the islands of north atlanthic sound better but i wont be saying that anytime soon.

TheBigLebowski · 27-08-2008 04:33AM

Wouldn't islands of the north atlantic include iceland, greenland etc?

I always use the term the british isles without hesitation just like when I use the Irish sea even though it goes between ireland and some other countries...

SoupyNorman · 27-08-2008 04:45AM

British Isles is purely a geographical term.

Incidently...

The largest River in The British Isles Is?

Lirange · 27-08-2008 04:48AM

Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong

ronbyrne2005 · 27-08-2008 05:04AM

I think this topic has been done to death here and on other Irish forums. More important topics to be worried about, if you don't like the geographical term don't use it, majority of people outside of Ireland call these islands the "british isles" so no matter what we called them here in IReland we are'nt gonna change everyone else in the world's usage of the term.

Xavi6 · 27-08-2008 05:08AM

ronbyrne2005 wrote: »

I think this topic has been done to death here and on other Irish forums. More important topics to be worried about, if you don't like the geographical term don't use it, majority of people outside of Ireland call these islands the "british isles" so no matter what we called them here in IReland we are'nt gonna change everyone else in the world's usage of the term.

Does not compute

Pride Fighter · 27-08-2008 05:18AM

It comes from the Roman word for the celtic people who lived in modern day England and Wales. The people of the far north were called Picts and the people of this island were known as Scots:eek:. It is a very old term for this group of islands and although I dislike the Brits as much as the next man the term should not change. There is a theory that after the Saxon invasion of Britain in the 6th century a lot of the people of Britain emigrated to North-West France to an area we now know as Brittany (little Britain, not the show).

Thats some useless information for you.

JupiterKid · 27-08-2008 05:22AM

I would suggest neither. I don't mind the term British Isles but can understand those of a more nationalistic leaning having issue with it.

How about WEI - Western European Isles? It's much clearer than IONA which could technically include such places as Iceland, The Azores, Madiera, the Faroes and Greenland.

With WEI (Western European Isles) it's pretty clear that it's referring to the major islands off the west coast of Europe - namely, us and Great Britain.

hussey · 27-08-2008 05:23AM

Xavi6 wrote: »

Does not compute

Phf .. never hear of http://www.irishinfertilitysupportforums.ie/

ejmaztec · 27-08-2008 07:08AM

Biffo's Bananaland Collective - nothing British there!

Ponster · 27-08-2008 08:06AM

I gave up caring after the 1,000,000 post in AH on this exact topic.

tolosenc · 27-08-2008 08:15AM

I think an awful lot of Irish people need to get past the idea that the world revolves around a tiny island off the coast of Europe.

pickarooney · 27-08-2008 08:26AM

Why group them at all? It's not like there's a collective name for Australia + New Zealand.

Sam Vimes · 27-08-2008 08:48AM

i just call them both britain. God save lizzy and all that

thelordofcheese · 27-08-2008 09:20AM

Pride Fighter wrote: »

I dislike the Brits as much as the next man

So, not at all then.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 27-08-2008 09:24AM

Surely the North Atlantic Isles refers to Iceland and Greenland?

Collie D · 27-08-2008 09:30AM

obl wrote: »

I think an awful lot of Irish people need to get past the idea that the world revolves around a tiny island off the coast of Europe.

This is a mostly Irish forum so it's not the world he's talking about. Independent nation, not a part of Europe although judging by your sig you probably don't understand that.

pickarooney wrote: »

Why group them at all? .

+1

Or...who cares?

djpbarry · 27-08-2008 09:44AM

pickarooney wrote: »

Why group them at all? It's not like there's a collective name for Australia + New Zealand.

There's a NEW Zealand?!? :eek:

Not sure what the big objection to "British Isles" is; might as well be all the one country. Sure don't we copy everything they do, read all their newspapers, watch their TV programmes, follow their football, shop in their shops...

Steve_o · 27-08-2008 09:47AM

I don't find the term British Isles offensive... its only a name!! IONA is stupid, If that were the case, we'd be the ROI in the IONA in the EU... too many letters tbh!

Cunny-Funt · 27-08-2008 10:08AM

djpbarry wrote: »

might as well be all the one country. Sure don't we copy everything they do, read all their newspapers, watch their TV programmes, follow their football, shop in their shops...

By your logic everyone is american then.

InFront wrote: »

I have no problems with the term British Isles; I don't find geography particularly offensive!

Havnt seen you since the last time this thread topic popped up lol. Are you even Irish?

I don't find it offensive, just has too much imperialism about it.

It implies "the islands of Britain". Despite it being a geographical term.

The fact that its not recognized by our government shows how this is a valid issue.

But I find many boardsies roll their eyes and almost intentionally go for the opposite of any option that might be seen as 'pro irish' for fear of being seen as a "Ra head".

Which sucks

The British Isles or Islands of the North Atlantic?

Which term is more agreeable to you? 149 votes

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