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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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    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.

    #5

    Close-up of a perfectly toasted bread slice captioned with a witty British humor tweet.

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    Tobias Reaper
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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

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    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.

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    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.

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    #10

    Tweet by user meg about how mug choice affects tea taste, showcasing British humor.

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    Nea
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I need mine to be light in colour and have thin rims and thicker bottom.

    Lou Cam
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same tea in my giant Sports Direct mug tastes like builders tea but in my twee cat shaped mug tastes cosy and special.

    Sue User
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And this is why i have a collection. Each for a different mood. Heck, i even have different teapots. Yes Marie, they all spark joy. Especially the Royal Dalton fine china cup and saucer my nan bought me that i only use about once a month because i am so afraid of breaking it.

    Skeeter
    Community Member
    37 minutes ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to have 6. 2 green 2 blue 2 red, mosaic patterns, all white interior so as to see the proper color tea. I bought them 27 years ago. Only 2 left. Blue was my favorite color red the least favorite. All that's left is a green, which I use every day. And the red. I live in fear.

    Winter
    Community Member
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    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is just SO true! (ditto for coffee!)

    Lene
    Community Member
    1 day ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I prefer big cups with a ca. 3mm thick rim. And I need it to have a big handle (not those tiny ones that may look sweet but makes you burn 1-3 fingers depending on how you decide to hold the cup). Also, I need the cup to be smooth -I can accept that you may feel the print on the cup a little bit. But no weird patterns in the clay/cup. Also, I like my cups colorful.

    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    2 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds stupid unless you use a thicker cup to keep it hot longer. Hot tea yuck and coffee yuck! The only thing I'm driving hot is hot chocolate yummy!!!

    Jenny
    Community Member
    3 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mine has to be in a tall and narrow bone china mug. It has to be what is commonly referred to as a builder's brew with just a splash of skimmed milk and about a quarter teaspoon of sugar.

    Kerry Fletcher
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There has been research on this. Coffee or tea in a dark mug is perceived as being bitter but hot, and in a light colour mug smooth but lukewarm

    Cpt. Christan "Panda Bombero"
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even though I live in the Treasonous Colonial States, I absolutely concur. Mine is always made in my blue IAFF Local 3972 Jefferson County Professional Firefighter mug I received for 15yrs of service.

    Des
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else use different mugs for breakfast tea and evening tea?

    Oskar vanZandt
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once felt unwell when offered a cup of coffee in a yellow cup...

    keyboardtek
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And some people claim to be able to hear the difference between plain zip wire and $1000 speaker cables.

    Pandemonium
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Can you taste the difference whether you pour milk into your tea or tea into your milk? Same ratio of tea to milk, just different order of pouring.

    David Morgan
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It tastes different, but not enough (to me) to be worth fussing over. It's down to how quickly the milk changes temperature - milk first and adding tea slowly has the least effect on the taste. Tea first, milk in fast has the greatest effect.

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    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.”

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    #14

    Tweet about forgetting a toastie machine, showcasing British humor.

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    Robert Trebor
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have toasties quite often, The machine is ridiculously easy to use, and ridiculously easy to clean. Unlike most of my small appliances.

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    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.”

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    #26

    Tweet joking about UK vs USA drinking competition, showcasing British humor.

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    Denise Aitchison
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're including the Irish, Scot's, and Welsh? I 100% think you're right. We did start as a land for Puritans.

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    #30

    Tweet showcasing British humor about checking takeaways before buying a house.

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    HeavyMetalHeart
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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!

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    #34

    Tweet showcasing British humor with a funny plane conversation between a mother and a passenger.

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    Nizumi
    Community Member
    5 days ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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. :)

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    #38

    Tweet showcasing British humor about the awkwardness of takeaway delivery.

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    Hannah
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes I hang a measuring tape around my neck and have a pencil behind my ear. That way they will know I was BUSY. My sewing machine broke around four months ago...

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    #40

    Tweet about Crocs being versatile footwear in various settings, exemplifying trademark British humor.

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    Robert Trebor
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #47

    Tweet showcasing British humor about landlords keeping deposits over minor issues.

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    Pittsburgh rare
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #50

    Tweet showcasing British humor with a clever persuasion about sharing pizza costs on a train.

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    Mohsie Supposie
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Typical salesman technique! Only works if you are actually going to make that pizza last for a whole year!

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    #53

    Funny-British-Tweets

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    Verena
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Five weeks plus some extra days, all paid leave - there are emloyees on this planet silently weeping now.

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    #56

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    Pandemonium
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your football supporters have amazing voices. I'm always impressed with the call and response and creativity of the lyrics. Must be the school assemblies then.

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    #57

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    Owen
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Definitely not just you. I have found the perfect flat, because it's next to a Tesco express. They have all my money now.

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    #59

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    Fat Harry (Oi / You)
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw a man follow a woman through the grocery section of Tesco shouting "OH NOT BLOODY POK CHOI AGAIN! IT'S SO BLOODY BLAND!" and that is the most middle class thing I've ever seen in Tesco. I did once see a small child say "Mummy, can we get some Quinoa please?" but that was Waitrose, so expected.

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    #65

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    justagirl
    Community Member
    4 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yes. and...does anyone else just think, "oh it's fine, i have time tomorrow!" and then scramble to do whatever you were supposed to do at 1 a.m?

    #67

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    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, pay day - the day you pay your bills and then work out what is left and what your daily budget is.

    #70

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    Darryl Martin
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I imagine that this is just the latest in a long list of things he put somewhere that someone moved without telling him that it had been moved. I find it incredibly frustrating too. Just let him know where you moved it to.

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    #73

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    Rachael green
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I was 14 years old and I worked at a chippy for 2.75 per hour I got to go home with a bag of chips, a kebab and an arm full of burns. Still felt like a good deal 😂

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    #81

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    James016
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did you ever notice on gameshows like Bullseye than if the contestants won the big prize it was some home appliance like a new fridge but if they lost, the show wheeled out a speedboat saying that this is what they would have won.

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    #83

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    Rachel Parker
    Community Member
    5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never. It goes, like this: - I’m a kid and I partly believe this stuff and partly it’s fun. Adult, I’m busy I can’t think about changing my habits. Middle Age, I’m tired and I hate everybody and saying hello to a magpie is one c***k in the misery. Old, I don’t give a s**t, I’ll say hello to whoever I blinking want.

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