Nation of Shopkeepers


Also found in: Wikipedia.

Nation of Shopkeepers

name disdainfully given to Britain by Napoleon Bonaparte. [Fr. Hist.: Wheeler, 256]
See: Britain
Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Mentioned in ?
References in classic literature ?
The remembrance of such a fact surely becomes a nation of shopkeepers. It was a blessing for a commerce-loving country to be overrun by such an army of customers: and to have such creditable warriors to feed.
View in context
Despite their commercial tricks, when that 'nation of shopkeepers' finally quit the subcontinent, their campaign to make the people dependent on tea had achieved only partial success.
Who cares for a cuppa?
NAPOLEON said that the British were a nation of shopkeepers; he could also add gardeners and dog lovers to that.
Our love affair with dogs knows no bounds! LETTERS Email: sundaymercury@sundaymercury.net
Forget about a nation of shopkeepers, we are a nation of private railways, and at this time of year they all come puffing out of hibernation at the head of a variety of Christmas specials.
YULE need a break; Travel
We're famously known as a nation of shopkeepers. But retailers are more than just shops.
Put levy on online sales to fund a business rate cut for shops
In Napoleon's day we were known as a nation of shopkeepers which I think we are becoming again instead of being proud to be known in later years as 'The Workshop of the World' and as regards Birmingham, 'The City of a Thousand Trades'.
We can't lose our engineering [...]; Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@birminghammail.co.uk Twitter: @birminghammail Facebook: facebook.com/birminghammail Post: Birmingham Mail, 60 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2DJ
We may no longer be a nation of shopkeepers, but huge numbers of our region's workforce are employed in retail outlets.
No more shop 'til you drop as shops are dropped
We need to grow industry, else we really will be a nation of shopkeepers, reliant on imports.
SOUNDBITES: YOUR VOICE
Which historical figure called the English "A nation of shopkeepers"?
QUICK QUIZ
I would refer Chris to the Napoleonic Wars when Napoleon described us as a "nation of shopkeepers" and instructed his allies and the countries he occupied not to deal with Britain.
The good and the bad of people on Teesside
RITAIN has turned from a nation of shopkeepers into a nation of drop seekers.
Top money saving tips for the savvy online shopper

Encyclopedia browser ?
Full browser ?