Atlantic Archipelago Revisited
Fr Sean McManus of the Irish National Caucus is gunning for the National Geographic for describing Ireland as one of the "British Isles" in a recent publication. 鈥 And to make matters worse,鈥 Fr. Mc Manus continues, 鈥 the catalog is introduced by the National Geographic president, who bears the proud name of John M. Fahey, Jr. Surely he should know that Ireland is not a British isle but an Irish isle? If someone wants to give it a name, it is usually called the Emerald Isle, Mr. Fahey鈥.
We have been this way before A Meeting of the Atlantic Archipelago
I'm 
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How about "Britain and Ireland" as a geographical term and "the United Kingdom" and "Republic of Ireland" as political terms for the two main islands? Both of which are in usage today and to add a bit of colour how about "the Western European Isles" for all the islands including the dependencies?
Dear Father McManus - We met years ago in Springfirld Mass when the McBride campaign first began. I have since worked on the Principles in Missouri and within the Labor Movement. You were kind enough to include my name in your book on the struggle. I agree it is time to address the "british iles" question and several other samantic issues. Although I at times have been accused as being "anti-samantic" I see no reason to not push these issues. England's sins against humanity should not be forgotten. God Bless You - Up the Republic!
I got a distinct hint of "plastic" when I got to the 'proud name' bit. Likewise when I consider how many times I have told people that I come from the 'Emerald Isle' (that is, never, lest I cringe from embarrassment).
Paul, if you meant "anti-semantic" you were probably right.
And when I'm telling people I'm from the Emerald Isle, do I have to put on a fake ginger beard, green velvet suit and have really sad pipe music playing in the background?
I love it when Americans talk about Ireland!
Is it possible to block Americans from posting on a site by blocking their IP addresses? I mean, from a root source, i.e. all Americans?
Anyway, how often do people use the term "the British Isles"? Surely not that often for it to be a major incovenience for people just to say Ireland and Britain, or Britain and Ireland, or whatever.
If we have to stop using the term "British Isles", should the pedants not also be cracking down on those who use the term "Ireland" to mean the 26-county Republic?
Let's not get started on "Britain" vs. "England" etc. etc.