Russian Grand Prix - will Bernie scrap it now?

[AJS-]

oyster said:

What is 'THE' Ukraine?

Isn't it plain old Ukraine?

As I understand it Ukraine basically means "borders" so no, it is The Ukraine in the same way that The Phillippines (the Phillippine islands) is The Philliippines or The Congo (the land around the River Congo) is The Congo. Apparently it is now "correct" in political terms to talk about Ukraine as a nation without using 'the' but it is correct in historical and geographical terms to call it 'The Ukraine.'

[Magog]

This made me laugh, great punchline at the end.

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headline...

[Esseesse]

Eric Mc said:

Esseesse said:

Eric Mc said:

Or "The Gambia" or "The Ivory Coast".

It is not totally out of the ordinary to have the prefix "The" before a country's name.

When the country uses a descriptor as a name.

Not in the case of The Gambia.

I wonder if that was shortened. I'm sure you know The Gambia follows tightly 'The River Gambia'. In the same way 'The Thames' is acceptable where 'Thames' is not, maybe because it's short for 'The River Thames'.

[mollytherocker]

Bernie will be rubbing his hands together with glee i'm afraid.

There will be a big noise made about whether it should be cancelled. The news, Twitter, Facebook, the papers etc etc. Everyone will be interviewed and will have strong views, including the drivers.

Bernie will stir the st up with his big fk off spoon and scratch at the scabs until they bleed.

Its promotion and its what he does best.