Sarcasm is a prevalent trait in British humor. It often pokes fun at the absurdity of life, some of which may come across as mildly insulting. Usually expressed through light banter and comical insults, it is generally relatable enough to draw some laughs.
Here are some screenshots of posts as examples. These are from the British Tweets Facebook page, a collection of jokes, dry wit, and puns that hit home for people in the UK. But even if you’re not from that side of the world, you may nonetheless find amusement in these.
Enjoy scrolling through!
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I worked for this hotel chain! Had them all at one point as every hotel had a different one :)
American humor is likely more familiar to many, thanks to Hollywood and sitcoms. To better understand British humor, famed comedian Ricky Gervais wrote an article in Time Magazine in 2011.
One observation he pointed out was that Americans are more reserved in their use of irony, while fellow Brits “use it liberally as prepositions in everyday speech.”
“We tease our friends. We use sarcasm as a shield and a weapon. We avoid sincerity until it’s absolutely necessary,” Gervais wrote.
i think an award ceremony for the best toasts of the year we can call it the toasties the award will be a golden toaster with toast sticking out the top
Gervais is best known for his character, David Brent, in The Office, a mockumentary about corporate life. An American version of the sitcom starring Steve Carrell was later released.
Regarding the dry nature of British humor, Gervais admits that it’s not for everybody. He describes it as “play fighting,” which is a “sign of affection” for someone you like and an “ego bursting” for someone you dislike.
Gervais says British comedy’s offensive and slightly abrasive nature is more about speaking the truth. He never purposely attacks anyone with his comedy but always says what he means.
“Be honest. No one should ever be offended by the truth. That way, you’ll never have to apologize,” he wrote.
However, some experts believe there is no such thing as a British sense of humor. For University of Salford lecturer in performance and comedy Dr. Ian Wilkie, comedy is always open to interpretation and counterexamples you can’t pin down.
In an interview with the BBC, he described the process as “like trying to nail jelly to a wall.”
I have toasties quite often, The machine is ridiculously easy to use, and ridiculously easy to clean. Unlike most of my small appliances.
Gervais echoes a similar statement: all comedy is the same regardless of where you come from. But for him, it’s more of an “intellectual pursuit” where his objective is not to dumb down his audience.
“As a comedian, I think my job isn’t just to make people laugh but also make them think,” he stated. “Not everyone will like what I say or find it funny. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The best part about driving a fire apparatus, there certain times that I got to say to entitled individuals, "Yes, that is where I parked, and no I am not moving it so you can get by."
So let me get this straight - in the UK you take driving lessons...in your own car? How else did the instructor know whose car it was? Or did he just see a random car and text a random student, that's even weirder
Her driving instructor texted her to say he'd seen her car parked so badly, it looked like it had fallen from the sky...not straight is my guess.
Load More Replies...Finishing the speech with "Thank you, and till the next time." won't help either...
Even though "anywhere here" is about 10 miles away from your actual destination!
You're including the Irish, Scot's, and Welsh? I 100% think you're right. We did start as a land for Puritans.
Our house was newly built when we moved in and it was two years before any delivery places acknowledged we existed and would accept our order!
I still eat them once a day, one a day then or one pack a day now, just a matter of semantics…
Being overly literal (meaning: this is a joke), I have to point out it depends on where your flight's heading. ;) If you're flying in to a major hub like Paris or Munich, you might be connecting to go somewhere else. But it you're on a Ryan Air heading for Malaga, then fair to laugh at your mum. :)
We didn't have real ladders when I was growing up. I was brought up by my step-ladder.
I have 4 pairs. My feet swell and recede like the tide. Crocs are the answer. Shies make my feet unhappy, and I want happy feet.
...and the one down the road from me is chav Tesco. People turn up in their dressing gown
And that's exactly why more and more companies are ending free returns.
Some people just don't pay the last month before moving because they know they're not getting the deposit back no matter how pristine the apartment is. Not saying you should do that but also not saying you shouldn't.
These weren't bad. We need more of this and less of the 'Americans are idiots" and celebrity who the hell cares ones.
I feel like BP is legally obligated not to mention anything positive about the US. And, I'd complain about it if we hadn't just proven them right in November.
Load More Replies...Hilarious? Ok, depends on your definition of the word, I suppose. Still, 5/10 for effort. Must improve!
What's with this 'subscribe or you can't read the final item posted' s**t? What's next, BP starts taking hostages?
Bugs me that a month supply of tablets is classed as 28.. 7 months of the year have 31 days. I feel cheated
The inconsistency is one reason why medicines tend to be prescribed in multiple-weekly (7-day) cycles rather than "monthly".
Load More Replies...And when did Ricky Gervais say anything even remotely like that? Show me a quote or a link to a quote.
Load More Replies...These weren't bad. We need more of this and less of the 'Americans are idiots" and celebrity who the hell cares ones.
I feel like BP is legally obligated not to mention anything positive about the US. And, I'd complain about it if we hadn't just proven them right in November.
Load More Replies...Hilarious? Ok, depends on your definition of the word, I suppose. Still, 5/10 for effort. Must improve!
What's with this 'subscribe or you can't read the final item posted' s**t? What's next, BP starts taking hostages?
Bugs me that a month supply of tablets is classed as 28.. 7 months of the year have 31 days. I feel cheated
The inconsistency is one reason why medicines tend to be prescribed in multiple-weekly (7-day) cycles rather than "monthly".
Load More Replies...And when did Ricky Gervais say anything even remotely like that? Show me a quote or a link to a quote.
Load More Replies...