Why Do We Get Referred To As ‘ Little England ‘ By Some?

[Bobbisox1]

Okay on our own we’re small in size but we’re huge in history and beauty, what is it you love about your country and this will include Wales, Scotland and N.Ireland too, would you want to live anywhere else ?
Serious answers only please

[emmie]

jealousy pure and simple...

[Bobbisox1]

I’m not sure what it really means Emmie

[Prudie]

I've always thought it was a derogatory term (used often on AB) to describe those of us who live in the shires, out of the cities and have tiny racist bigoted minds to go with it. If I'm honest yes - I would love to live in Spain.

[emmie]

I always wondered what it would be like to live abroad, and having almost moved from UK twice in 40 years
can say that i am glad i didn't settle elsewhere. This is my home warts and all and it's beauty is in it's every pore. I know we criticise it, but there is simply no where else i would rather be.

[THECORBYLOON]

Origin of "Little Englander"

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Englander

[dannyk13]

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/little-englander

[emmie]

wasn't it Napoleon, forgive me if i am wrong, who said we are a nation of shopkeepers or some such remark...

[MargoTester]

https://www.lexico.com/definition/little_england

[emmie]

others have tried to define us others have tried to conquer, at least in the last 100 years, but we stood our ground, gave measure and didn't look back.

[Bobbisox1]

We almost went to live in Cyprus a few years ago, I think OH realised I was at heart a home bird, we got swept along with the idea from friends who already lived there and we were staying with them, I think after maybe 4-6 weeks I’d be thinking the holiday is over, time for home

[Nical]

I've never seen 'Little England' but I have seen 'Little Englander' - and usually used to insult someone. Chambers defines 'Little Englander' as 'a 19th c British opponent of British imperialism and empire-building, also a late-20c or early 21-c British supporter of the view that Britain should retain its individual national identity rather than become part of a more integrated Europe.'

[emmie]

The phrase “England is a nation of shopkeepers” is attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte in reference to Britain's preparedness for a war against France. However, it is believed to have first been used by Adam Smith in his “Wealth of Nations”.10 Aug 2015

[Bobbisox1]

Thanks for the links, mmmm, quite a derogatory term it seems ?

[Togo]

The people who like to sneer at patriotism or National pride use the insult "Little Englander" in an to attempt to be scornful. The irony is that it's original use was to describe someone who opposes an international role or policy for England ,or in practice, for Britain. They themselves are in the truest sense of the meaning the actual Little Englanders, in their desire to see Britain dominated by foreign forces. The irony is lost on them. This is just another example of the lefty libz changing a word, or phrase, to suit their own purpose.

[dannyk13]

Emmy //first been used by Adam Smith in his “Wealth of Nations”.10 Aug 2015//
If that date is correct then it cannot be true as I was aware of the saying back in my teens, circa 1950.

[emmie]

If i knew what VBQC was i might agree with you....

[Bobbisox1]

Hi 3Ts , I’ve seen it on here a number of times and it got me thinking although I didn’t google it

[emmie]

me too, i just copied and pasted the entry...

[ToraToraTora]

oddly enough we would be little Englanders if we'd have adhered to those that induced the term in the 19th century.