Yes, the isles of Wight, Lundy, Anglesey and so on are not shown but then again, no one’s ever asked me “what country is the Isle of Wight part of?” but lots of people have asked “is England a country or not?” … which was what set me off to write the post in the first place.

I can only comment confidently on two aspects;

(a) ‘The British Isles’ as an archaic term and (b) George Best.

(a); the British Isles ceased to be so after Ireland’s Independence in 1922.

http://www.irelandinformationguide.com/British_Isles

Geographically however, it was still referred to as that for many decades afterwards. Because it was ‘handy’ to do so. Physically, like Iberia, scientists would refer to the two islands as one. But it did piss off Irish Nationalists. And was/is very politically incorrect [before that term became a cliche].

The Ordnance Survey Ireland do not recognise The British Isles in it’s mapping, nor does the National Geographic Association;

http://irishnationalcaucus.blogspot.com/2008/01/british-isles-references-leave-irish.html

Nowadays, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are geographically known as “The Island of Ireland” with the two administrations referred to and accepted politically and colloquially as North and South. Devolved power from Westminister has sanctioned this. This is only in the last decade though.

Hence the Island of Ireland is a geographically recognised entitity and not part of the British Isles that includes England, Scotland, Wales, Jersey etc. but it contains the sovereignty of the six Northern counties which are part of the United Kingdom.

I had my first geography lesson in Britain, my last in Ireland – so I know what’s what.

So the Venn Diagram [blue] should be Great Britain and Ireland.

(b) George Best; I cannot understand how a womanising short-serving alcoholic footballer got so much cred / adoration / and an airport named after him!?!