Quote:
Originally Posted by pdurrant
You're entirely correct about what "Great Britain" means. I don't think I've disputed that. But "United Kingdom" was used before Ireland became part of the kingdom, for the union of England (& Wales) with Scotland.
So, between 1707 and 1800 we were "The United Kingdom of Great Britain".
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Since the US Post Office was formed in 1792 (or 1775 if you count pre-war) I wonder if they determined country abbreviations back then when the world was a different place. Countries have changed dramatically since.
What would England, Scotland and Wales been called in 1792?
Great Britain is very specific and distinctive.
United Kingdom is less so. In 1792 there were many more "kingdoms" united or otherwise.