English is derived from England, one would think. But in fact, the language name appears long after the country's name.
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The name appears about the year 1000, and means the Angels. The Angels, Saxons and Jutes were the three Germanic tribes, who settled in Britain about the fifth and sixth centuries, from what is now Denmark and northern Germany.
Angles must have meant more than the other two tribes, for they are indiscriminately referred to as Angles.
Egbert, king of the West-Saxons (pictured), having subjugated the other six Saxon kingdoms, declared Britain should be called England and he should be called King of England.
The name of the country changed after the Danish conquest, when it was superseded by Engla land.
Old English is the period extending to the Norman Conquest. Middle English is used to describe then to about 1500. Modern English extends to the present day.
English, according to The Devil's Dictionary, "is language so haughty and reserved that few writers succeed in getting on terms of familiarity with it".
We have English woman, English man, English spaniel, English muffin, and any number of English items. We have the English Association, formed in 1906, to promote the use of English.
Then we have the English Comic Writers, formed in 1919, The Englishman's Magazine, The England Review, The English Stage Company, and a host more.
Seems one gave prestige to one's organisation by virtue of including English in its title.
For more: lbword.com
