Rules for what are groups of people called?

[Rockphed]

French seems to have something against s+consonant in particular. See the various fenêtre* (<fenestra), épaule** (<spathula), etc.

* window **shoulder

One name edit I enjoy is that of Scorsese. Martin Scorsese's ancestors were actually Italians with the surname Scozzese = "Scotsman".

There was a lets play in these parts, "The Scottsman of Venice". Is it based on his family history?

[Wraith]

William was duke of Normandy, not baron.

Much obliged, thank you.

That's interesting. French cities and towns all have an associated demonym. Generally something obscure and related to the latin etymology of the places' name that you need to go on Wikipedia to know.

This is pretty much the point I was making - posters above were struggling to find a difference between a New Yorker (city) and a New Yorker (State), assuming that it had to make sense in some way.

For example, we have a York in Britain - presumably the original from which New York was named - and if you're from there, British people will call you a Tyke (to rhyme with 'bike').

People from Newcastle (North-East) are Geordies. People from Liverpool (Middle-West, near the top of Wales) are Scousers. And people from London are Londoners, unless they're also Cockneys. It's all complete nonsense, but here we are anyway.

I just hope that in the USA they refer to people from Birmingham, Alabama as 'Brummies' because that's what we call people from Birmingham, England and the idea of there being an American city where everyone speaks with a Brummie accent makes me happy.

[Peelee]

I just hope that in the USA they refer to people from Birmingham, Alabama as 'Brummies' because that's what we call people from Birmingham, England and the idea of there being an American city where everyone speaks with a Brummie accent makes me happy.

The words people in the USA refer to people from Birmingham would typically be forum-inappropriate.

Which is a shame, the greater Birmingham area is a delightful place. I had some friends in Inverness growing up, there's a huge outlet mall over in Leeds, Pelham is growing nicely, but you probably want to stay out of Brighton.