The line between good-natured teasing and things more malignant seems to be very indistinct. Thus, some can find offense where none is intended. The interesting thing about the term "Brit" is that it derives from a mis-spelling of "Praetani", a celtic group that dominated a good bit of the island in earlier times. One who objects to "Brit" would probaly also object to "Prit". The transliterations might be especially objectionable: "Brit" to "Brick" or "Prit" to - well, you know how it goes. I try to solve the problem by referring, in familiar and informal contexts, to people from the bigger eastern island as "East Dubs." It has a nice historic twist about it as well. [Only teasing, folks, really! *BG*]