Little Englander

noun

1. an English person who believes the best interests of Britain are served by attention to Britain itself, rather than to the concerns of the empire.

Little Englander

/ ˈɪŋɡləndə /

noun

1. (esp in the 19th century) a person opposed to the extension of the British Empire

2. informal,  a person who perceives most foreign influences on Britain's culture and institutions as damaging or insidious

Other Word Forms

• Little Englandism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Little Englander¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

During the Brexit referendum, Boris Johnson hit back at suggestions he was "a little Englander" by attempting a few lines of the song in German.

Read more on BBC

He represents, almost in caricature, the traditional “little Englander” at his most provincial.

Read more on Washington Post

Clearly, many Britons in both parties share Buruma’s skepticism toward the international role Blair and Cameron have pursued, but Buruma, who also conspicuously wears the mantle of anti-Brexit cosmopolitan, probably wouldn’t plump, as some would, for a Little Englander revival to counter the interventionism that the special relationship has enabled.

Read more on New York Times

I don’t think he’s a little Englander.

Read more on The Guardian

Powell, along with many contemporary Brexiteers, could be called a Little Englander.

Read more on The New Yorker