In the Middle Ages, the name Britain was also applied to a small part of France now known as Brittany. As a result, Great Britain came into use to refer specifically to the island.
incidentally, (and anecdotally) there's a plausible argument that the use of the term 'mate' isn't a social nicety as much as it is a statement of class - having historically been a seafaring nation, being a mate, ie a ships mate, signifies NOT being an Officer - in other words 'you're not above me, don't get any ideas' - and britain is, and has long been, more than anything else, a class system.
also, there's something about you using lowercase naming - seems quite apt for where and how things are of late.
Ok, but that still doesn't explain what regular Britain is?
According to Britannica:
Yes, I was going to ask about how Brittany factored in to this, too.
maybe a bit too much hair, but otherwise ok
incidentally, (and anecdotally) there's a plausible argument that the use of the term 'mate' isn't a social nicety as much as it is a statement of class - having historically been a seafaring nation, being a mate, ie a ships mate, signifies NOT being an Officer - in other words 'you're not above me, don't get any ideas' - and britain is, and has long been, more than anything else, a class system.
also, there's something about you using lowercase naming - seems quite apt for where and how things are of late.
That's all you. I wasn't dropping subliminals! ahah