Anglos

Anglos is a term with several related meanings, depending on historical and contemporary usage. Etymologically, it derives from the Angles, a Germanic people who, along with the Saxons and Jutes, migrated to Britain in the early medieval period. In historical contexts, Anglo-identified groups referred to the Angles and their descendants, and by extension the broader Anglo-Saxon population that contributed to early English identity.

In modern usage, anglo commonly serves as shorthand for English-speaking people or those of English or British descent. It appears in phrases such as Anglo-American, Anglo-Canadian, or Anglo-Australian to denote cultural or linguistic ties to the English-speaking world. In sociolinguistic and demographic contexts, Anglophone is a more precise term for someone whose first language is English, while anglo may be used more loosely as a descriptor of ancestry or nationality.

The term can be sensitive and its appropriateness depends on context. It may be viewed as neutral descriptive jargon in some settings, while in others it can feel outdated or problematic when it generalizes diverse ethnic, national, or cultural groups. As with many ethnonyms, usage reflects historical, political, and regional differences and should be considered in light of intent and audience.

Related terms include Anglo-Saxon, Anglophone, and Anglo-Norman, which highlight different historical periods or linguistic dimensions within the broader concept of Anglophone identity.