I think people who use the term "the Brits" instead of "the
British" are those who live in ex-colonies, like Canada and Australia; I
think the term expresses mixed emotions, pejorative, defensive, familiar
as opposed to what was once respectful. Just idiosyncratic
speculation.
> Yesterday in a discussion with a friend, mention was made to me that the
> term `brit' applied to people from Britain is somehow perjorative. \
> I have never heard this before.
> So I am curious. Is it the case? Is there some hidden history to the
> use of the term I am unaware of? Or is my friend mistaken?
>
--