The definite article (with paragraphs lol!)

[gricerboy]

As those of you who know me will be aware, I don't partake in the consumption of alcoholic beverages. I do not, however, let this get in the way of having an active social life.

I do confess though that it can be difficult maintaining a conversation with my chums after they've been drinking. Last night was an exception and we had wizard fun chatting about what I'm about to set out below.

It concerns the use of the definite article in names of countries. We spent the evening not only listing those countries that take the definite article but also discussed why it is used. After all, a country name is just a proper noun just like a person's and nobody ever calls me "The Nigel"! Perhaps those countries taking the definite article have a name which is actually a meaningful word, like The Netherlands. But what about The Lebanon? Is that a word?


Here are the ones we thought of in the pub:
(By the way, no groups of islands like The West I.Indies.)

The Lebanon
The Netherlands
The Cameroon

Anyone got any more to add?

A salient point made ny my friend Malcolm was that countries often always take the definite article in foreign languages; e.g. La France, O Brasil.

Anyway, a fun night was had by all!

[OwlHoot]

... I don't partake in the consumption of alcoholic beverages ...

You mean you don't drink.

(Alcohol is assumed.)

FFS

[Paddy]

As those of you who know me will be aware, I don't partake in the consumption of alcoholic beverages. I do not, however, let this get in the way of having an active social life.

I do confess though that it can be difficult maintaining a conversation with my chums after they've been drinking. Last night was an exception and we had wizard fun chatting about what I'm about to set out below.

It concerns the use of the definite article in names of countries. We spent the evening not only listing those countries that take the definite article but also discussed why it is used. After all, a country name is just a proper noun just like a person's and nobody ever calls me "The Nigel"! Perhaps those countries taking the definite article have a name which is actually a meaningful word, like The Netherlands. But what about The Lebanon? Is that a word?


Here are the ones we thought of in the pub:
(By the way, no groups of islands like The West I.Indies.)

The Lebanon
The Netherlands
The Cameroon

Anyone got any more to add?

A salient point made ny my friend Malcolm was that countries often always take the definite article in foreign languages; e.g. La France, O Brasil.

Anyway, a fun night was had by all!

I think that "The Lebanon" and "The Cameroon" in wrong but The Netherlands is ok because it means the low lands.

"The" Ukraine is definatly wrong.
The Cameroon

[HairyArsedBloke]

The North Pole
The South Pole

"no groups of islands" - you'll find that the main usage IS for groups of islands.

[VectraMan]

How about The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland? Or is that too obvious.

I've never heard The Lebanon or The Cameroon used before.

[Moscow Mule]

I've never heard The Lebanon or The Cameroon used before.

I think only twunts call it "The Lebanon".

[thunderlizard]

yes, people who come from those countries don't like the "The" but I don't know why. The Gambia, The Congo, The Ukraine likewise.
I think The Maldives and The Seychelles are OK.

[OwlHoot]

The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta

(which, according to the UN, is a separate state like the Vatican, and also based in Rome)

Its sovereign status is recognized by membership in numerous international bodies and observer status at the United Nations and others.[29] The Order maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 100 countries, with numerous ambassadors. It issues its own passports, currency, stamps and even vehicle registration plates.

[Platypus]

we had wizard fun chatting about ... those countries that take the definite article but also discussed why it is used.

Your friends sound like a hoot!

You really do move in some quite exciting circles

[NickFitz]

ny

You don't drink alcohol, yet you can't even type a two-letter word correctly?

Top Tip: if you create a sockpuppet that claims not to drink booze, don't post as that sockpuppet after drinking booze