ADVERTISEMENT

Friends, pandas, countrymen, lend me thine ears! For 'tis a page of memes from the island of Britain that I present upon you. Okay, okay, no more poor attempts at Shakespeare-speak, I promise. I won't bore you with the usual British stereotypes either – mentioning crumpets, double-decker buses and saying 'rubbish' when something's really bad.

Yet Britain indeed has its own unique charm. Just like any other culture does. And while it's true that The Commonwealth doesn't have the best track record when it comes to honoring other cultures, we here at Bored Panda often honor the British sense of humor. This time we're covering the British Memes page on Instagram. Check out our selection and don't forget to upvote your favorites!

RELATED:
    #3

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    archer_rs Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    James016
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There has never been a more legit reason for a train delay in the UK.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    The British Memes IG is one of many pages under the Pubity Group entertainment. Their 'about us' page boasts having more than 20 channels, which, according to them, cover diverse subcultures. It's not all about entertainment and popular culture – they have pages about sports, travel and even news.

    The Pubity Groups is a true entertainment powerhouse tailored for Millennials and Gen Z. Most of their pages have a considerable following too – the British Memes page, for example, has a whopping 1.9 million followers. Their most popular IG page is Memezar with a 22.7 million follower count – a page that is all things meme and meme-culture.

    #4

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    britishmemes Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Betta Fish
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    what in the bloody jollywhap bloobyblam codswallop bumbernucklers it is a wee bit odd i reckon

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    britishmemes Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Mark
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "how about some music? Something chasey" - Skipper, Penguins of Madagscar

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    While scrolling through these memes, you might notice that British humor (or, rather, humour) is quite distinctive. People often complain they don't understand British comedy shows or stand-up. That's especially true for Americans. Researchers from Birkbeck, University of London, even published a study on this topic.

    They showed the participants two excerpts from two British television shows. The study sample included 128 British individuals and 95 American English users. The people had to rate the funniness of the two clips. A bigger portion of American English users rated British humor as less funny. They said they did not get the ironic and sarcastic aspect of British humor.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    britishmemes Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    CK
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not sure that this is uniquely British, because I don't think the trains can read elsewhere either.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Many people think that the comedy ensemble Monty Python is the best example of British humor. Dr Ian Wilkie, a lecturer in performance at the University of Salford, reiterated this sentiment to the BBC.

    "Having taught younger American students, they take the British sense of humour to be Monty Python, by which they mean a sort-of slightly erring towards the surreal, very iconoclastic in terms of attacking the big targets, very silly."

    #12

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    thriftnana Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Susan Bosse
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The equivalent here in Texas & the south is "Bless her heart." That can be genuine concern, utter disgust, amazement at the level of stupidity, etc. It covers a wealth of situations.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    As David Woods writes for PBS, American humor tends to be positive and upbeat. The British, on the other hand, derive their humor from oddities and misfortunes. Take, for example, Mr. Bean, another canonical British comedy character. He's always getting into some kind of trouble. Yet, we find his misfortunes funny – it can make us feel better about ourselves.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Mr. Bean is also an odd character. The way he moves, talks, even thinks – there's always something unusual about him. Same with Monty Python. Take the 'Ministry Of Silly Walks' sketch. It's full of absurd physical comedy, just like Mr. Bean.

    #14

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    britishmemes Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jrog
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's UKIP candidates that look like badly dressed kids at a wedding.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    British comedian Stephen Fry also talked about the differences between American and British humor. He said that humor in classical American sitcoms comes from jokes.

    And British sitcoms, in his opinion, rely on character, usually on the failure of a character. Fry describes these protagonists as "trying to be grand in a world that's letting them down." He cites such examples as Alan Partridge and David Brent.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #16

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    britishmemes Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    KinoEel
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’d like to think I am an expert in garlic bread and a nice pasta with it… now I am hungry

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #18

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    tommyhale91 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    MushroomHead22
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    for 2 years not once did you attempt to pull that? not once?... how do people get through a day without dying?

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    "The American hero is faster, sharper, cleverer," Fry explains. He uses the toga party scene in the 1978 comedy film Animal House as an example. John Belushi's character smashes a guitar player's instrument in that scene. Americans want to be Belushi at that moment, Fry explains, and a British comedian would rather play the folk singer.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #20

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    JNkappers Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    moggie63
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was refused a mortgage at half the rent I was paying. Their reasoning was I might lose my job. I pointed out that I couldn't pay rent then either. 'meh, you don't pay rent to us'.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Fry believes that the British laugh at themselves. Americans, on the other hand, are not that good at self-deprecation. "Americans, I think – and I wouldn't overstate this – are not that good at laughing at themselves."

    But not everyone believes there's such a clear distinction between American and British humor. Dr. Wilkie also told BBC he doesn't exactly think there is a British kind of humor. "I think the best you can hope for is some big, beacon terms (eg. sarcasm, understatement, self-deprecation), that maybe, over a fair amount of time, might hold water."

    #24

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    claumnzzz Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Clueless Panda
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the US we'd artfully arrange that on a wooden board and call it charcuterie!

    SparkDragon
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like an awesome birthday spread for a kid in the 90s!

    Michael None
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    British cuisine is not far off from my toddler's diet. Except she doesn't like beans. That's it Britain the only thing separating you from a toddler is beans.

    Julie S
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Damn this looks good. Although some curly fries wouldn't go amiss.

    Ky
    Community Member
    8 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please, for your taste buds, put some seasoning on that.

    Lisa Patron Birch
    Community Member
    9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have never seen a dino or fish nugget and I have lived in UK all my life

    robin miller
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's up with the Smiley Faces ? They look like aliens . . .

    MissMePhoenix
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look....its late, and I've had a few. I'd eat the f out of everything pictured, tbh.

    Tord
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd forget all about my diabetes if I came across this... XD

    HyperSocialCheeseFoe
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dang it I’m too sick to enjoy this image. Still looks pretty good though.

    eMpTy
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Too much crumbed c**p. Where's my sausage, eggs, bacon and black pudding?

    L. Murphy
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks American. Everything is fried, or covered in cheese or filled with sugar, except the beans. I'm a weird American who eats beans and toast.

    Dante McBride
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG. I had those tiny pizzas for dinner every day as a kid! All hail co op!

    Munchkin
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Party rings, chocolate fingers, white choc buttons AND mini eggs! My Lord, this person is winning at life

    Procrastinating....
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've had dinner already but this looks amazing...I think it's a reaction to the post christmas, "being good"

    Robin
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NGL as a 40 year old man, I would.be bloody delighted if this was presented to me.

    MotherofGuineaPigs
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I must confess that I would certainly enjoy that - I can feel my arteries hardening just looking at that spread.

    StumblingThroughLife
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mmm, Bernard Matthews Turkey Dinosaurs. They do Unicorn shapes too. One of my granddaughters loves these to the point where she frequently demands them, lol.

    Mark
    Community Member
    11 months ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Describe food poisoning in 1 picture

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Oscar Wilde has famously said that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Is that a sign that British humor is maybe not so "streets ahead" compared to its American counterpart? In a previous interview with Bored Panda, researcher of humor studies at Keuka College Steven Kapica agreed that sarcasm is somewhere near the bottom of the barrel when it comes to ranking forms of comedy.

    #25

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    SaeedDiCaprio Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Red Reilly
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is classic though, what is it with people having to put EVERYTHING on social media. 'hmm Dennis is posing with a massive wad of cash ...but he hasn't worked for months... ooooh. oh Dennis'

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu

    "It doesn't take much skill to inflect a phrase with sarcasm in response to an authority's power move, or to use sarcasm to point out what is already obvious to everyone. The jokester who feels inclined to perform what everyone else is thinking isn't [a] comic genius," Kapica told Bored Panda before.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    britishmemes Report

    However, Kapica admitted that sarcasm plays an important role in human interaction. "I think it is better to think of sarcasm as a rhetorical device than as a form of comedy.

    As a rhetoric device, sarcasm can be an effective means of gauging, guiding, and winning one's audience 'in-the-moment.' But that's 'live' sarcasm. Internet-based sarcasm is... oof."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #35

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    britishmemes Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #41

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    OCandVerde Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Kira Okah
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For a Twix? That's ridiculous! I remember when Freddos were 10p. TEN P! :P

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #42

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    mxrionettes Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Mat Hall
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just for clarification for anyone outside the UK, French fries (or fries in general) refer to the long skinny things that you get in places like McDonald's, and they are *not* suitable for a chip butty - that requires actual fat chips, preferably from the chippy.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #47

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    britishmemes Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #50

    Best-Funny-British-Memes

    MaxDexter99 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Betta Fish
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That was snapped from the metagalactic area? That knockers me knackers!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode