To further support Dave the Gnome's explanation, the main problem comes from people saying English when they mean British, which is common from people from the USA. Most people who are Welsh or Scottish don't mind being called British but don't want to be called English - 'cos they're not.

I suppose the equivalent of British people calling everyone in the USA 'Yank', as some of my fellow-countrypersons are wont to do.

I don't even like to use the term American to refer to citizens of the USA are that precludes other people on and adjacent to Senor Vespucci's continent!

Les