Dunno about that... most of the British people I know are pretty honest and admirable. I suspect it's more that the editors were worried it could imply that people who are not British are not honest and admirable. Or just that, in general, it's now seen as dubious and probably offensive to attach such a stereotype, even a good one, to a nation like that.Rob Houghton wrote: I'm more bothered by the fact that 'he seemed so British' has been taken out. Why? Of course, one of the reasons, as discussed earlier, is that the books are now set in 2017...Being 'so British' no longer means honest and admirable.
I haven't read the book, but going by the excerpts, the character in question was a traitor to Britain but didn't seem like one, so in that context, I don't see much of a problem in saying "he seemed so British" — i.e. he appeared to be someone who was thoroughly loyal to his country, but he was the opposite. Surely it's logical that a traitor who wanted to remain uncaught would try to appear as proudly British — or whatever nationality he or she was — as possible!