What unites the people of the UK more than British humour? Well, arguably nothing, since it is an integral part of British culture. It is famous worldwide for its combination of self-deprecation, insults, wit, sarcasm, and deadpan delivery.
This, especially when used all together, can pose a challenge for English learners since their humour is more subtle, and in some ways downright offensive, rather than overstated. Don’t worry though, Education FF has got you covered with our beginner’s manual to understanding British humour. Let’s dive in, shall we?
The Essence of British Humour
British humour can be puzzling for those who are not native speakers. It often relies on what is not said and has a subtle touch, with the delivery of their jokes being blunt, ironic, or even pretending to be unintentional. This type of humour surprises people who are learning English, as it can be very difficult to tell when a Brit is joking or they’re being serious. And this is where the problem for non-native speakers lies!
It’s basically impossible to truly understand British humour until you understand the foundations and, once you do, this will help you spot it in conversations and one day, with practice, you will be able to respond! To help you understand and use British humour, let’s break down the essence of their humour into different parts.
Wit
Wit is an intelligent form of humour, and it means being able to make clever and funny comments just at the right moment. You can make a joke 1000 times and people who have never heard it before might find it funny, but that’s not wit. Wit needs to be a direct response to something that has just happened, it’s in the moment. It needs fast thinking, keen observations, or a bit of wordplay.
Instead of being over the top and obvious, wit is usually very subtle, relying on the receiver of the joke to pick up on what is not said and to read between the lines. This is especially true when making a joke about awkward encounters or even the most simple, most boring aspects of life–something that is very difficult to make humourous. The intent is to be one step ahead of you with their joke, their aim is to catch you off guard!
Born in Manchester, Caroline Aherne is a very popular witty comedian.
Example of wit in a sentence:
Person 1: “Wow, you are a bit arrogant, aren’t you?”
Person 2: “No, I’m actually very modest. I’m the best at modesty”.
Person 2 used wit here by using the insult Person 1 threw at them and coming up with a clever response to rebuff the insult. Initially, it sounded like the person was seriously disagreeing with being perceived as arrogant. Then, they surprised Person 1 by using wit, by stating they were the best at modesty, which is the complete opposite of being modest and is actually, some might say, arrogant!
Person 2, the jokester, responded in the moment to the insult with quick thinking and a deadpan delivery–initially, it might have seemed like a serious response. This would require the receiver to read between the lines to understand that they were joking.
Irony
Irony is a big part of British humour. Irony means saying one thing but meaning something completely different. It works by contrasting what is said and what is meant, and this is often done with a serious face, which is called “deadpan delivery” which makes things even funnier for those who understand it.
There are many different types of irony, but the one you will encounter in everyday conversations is called comic verbal irony. So that is what we shall focus on! The key to this form of irony is to think about everyday situations that almost everyone will understand or expect, and then come up with a completely unexpected punchline.
Let’s look at some examples of irony in a sentence:
- I was walking in the street with my friend when I fell flat on my face in front of lots of people. I turned to my friend and said, “Wow, that hurt. At least I didn’t embarrass myself.”. I took one of my most embarrassing moments and turned it into a joke, by ironically saying I didn’t embarrass myself with my clumsiness, when in fact I did. As the saying goes, laughter is a form of medicine! And here, the medicine is irony as Brits use jokes to ease their embarrassment.
- I went on holiday, and every single day it rained. I said to my daughter, “Thank goodness we bought lots of suncream.”. The irony here is that we barely went outside on the holiday because of the terrible weather and lack of sun. I am pretending to be relieved at having spent a lot of money on suncream when in reality, I am feeling quite annoyed that the weather was so bad we didn’t need any.
- I took my lunch to work and placed it in the shared fridge. At lunchtime, I went to get my food and saw my coworker was eating it! I was very annoyed, especially when the coworker said to me, “I’m so sorry, I thought it was my lunch. If it makes you feel any better, I really enjoyed eating it.”. The irony here is that the person eating my lunch said that they hoped I would feel better knowing that my food was so tasty that they enjoyed eating it. When in reality, they know that makes me feel worse!
Sarcasm
Sarcasm is often seen as a low form of humour, but many Brits would disagree with this view as it usually comes from those who struggle to use and understand it! In British humour, sarcasm is very common. It’s a way to show disapproval or mock something with a sharp, deadpan tone.
The main thing you need to understand in order to get sarcasm is that what is said is not what is meant, irony and sarcasm are very similar but there is one key difference–irony is usually light-hearted, and sarcasm is usually used in a more negative way, such as when someone is annoyed for example.
Here are some examples of sarcasm in a sentence:
- When someone states something that is already very obvious, a sarcastic response would be “Wow, you are very perceptive!”
- When someone has had a bad day, and then another bad thing happens, they would say sarcastically “This is just what I need right now.”
- When someone does something wrong, a sarcastic response would be, “Great job, thanks for your help!”
- Someone is struggling to open a door as their hands are full of heavy shopping. Someone says to them, “Would you like some help?”, and a sarcastic response to that would be, “No thanks, I’m having lots of fun”.
Brits also use gestures in their sarcasm!
“How can I differentiate between sarcasm and sincerity in British humor?”
In British humor, it can be hard to tell if someone is being sarcastic or sincere. This usually depends on the context and the way they say things. You should notice the situation, their facial expressions, and any differences between what they say and what they really mean. If you’re unsure, watch how other people respond or ask for clarification in a gentle way.
Understatement
Understatement is another part of British humour, and it is a form of sarcasm. However, since it is so common in British culture it’s important to make the distinction between understatement and the sarcasm examples shared previously–it means saying less than what you really want to say. In essence, it is the exact opposite of exaggeration.
For instance, if someone says, “That’s a bit inconvenient,” when their car breaks down in a remote area, it’s a clear example of understatement.
Let’s look at some more examples of understatement:
- My toddler screamed at me at the top of his lungs for 20 minutes because I said no more TV. I think it might have upset him.
- I got a phone bill for £380 the other day, which was a little bit more than the £49 I usually pay.
- I crashed my car in the middle of the night and couldn’t find cell service to call for help. It was a tad inconvenient.
- At a wedding I went to last week, the bride left the groom at the altar and ran away. It probably wasn’t the best wedding I’d ever been to.
Self-Deprecation
One of the best things about British humour is how they can laugh at themselves, they openly admit and make jokes about their flaws and it is a refreshing form of humour in a world that can be much too serious. They often joke about their bad weather, their weird food choices, or how they can be awkward with people.
By laughing at their own mistakes, Brits make others feel relaxed and build a sense of togetherness. Sometimes, it is also used as a way to cope with something difficult or upsetting.
This shows us that nobody is perfect. Finding humour in our own flaws is a good way to deal with life’s ups and downs. The British sense of humour is, in many ways, a celebration of being human and not always getting things right.
Here are some examples of self-deprecation:
- Feel free to use me as an example of what not to do. At least then I won’t be totally useless.
- Every day is the weekend when you get fired and have no job.
- I finally discovered why I look bad in photos! It’s just my face.
- I’ve got 99 problems, and approximately 98 of them can be attributed to my poor time management skills and lack of self-control.
Insults
Now, this can be confusing for people who aren’t from Great Britain. British humour often includes playful teasing and banter, and this teasing might feel uncomfortable in other cultures. However, among friends and family, this kind of teasing shows love and closeness.
It is common in British culture to use humour to connect with others, and friendly insults help them show how well they know each other. They are saying, “I feel close enough to joke with you so I know you won’t be offended.”
There is a thin line between friendly teasing and being rude, and most Brits are good at keeping this balance. If you experience some mild British banter, don’t take it to heart–it may be a funny way of showing they care.
Here is an example of close friends using insults to have fun and joke with each other, from the UK TV show Top Gear:
Puns
The British really enjoy language, and they love playing around with words and their meanings. Puns, which are often seen as simple humor, are very popular among them. Clever word twists and funny double meanings are key parts of British comedy.
Puns are a favorite kind of wordplay. It’s all about linking words, sounds, and meanings in fun and surprising ways.
Think of it as a game with words, the goal is to surprise the listener with language choices which makes it difficult for English learners to comprehend. British comedians like Jimmy Carr, Billy Connolly, and Vic Reeves build their careers on their clever jokes and great wordplay.
Examples of puns:
- A man just assaulted me with milk, cream and butter. How dairy.
- I’m a big fan of whiteboards. I find them quite re-markable.
- Thanks for explaining the word “many” to me, it means a lot.
- A book just fell on my head. I’ve only got myshelf to blame.
- I was going to share a vegetable joke but it’s corny.
Satire
British humour often uses satire to jokingly comment on society or certain people, it is known for its clever wit and usually focuses on the class system, politics, or cultural issues.
Shows like “The Thick of It” and “Brass Eye” are great examples. They use satire to show the funny side of everyday life. Satire in British comedy acts as a way to discuss social issues while being lighthearted and easy to understand.
A Beginner’s Guide to Appreciating British Humor
Mastering a new language takes time, and humour is no different. But don’t stress; with some help and a willingness to embrace surprises, you’ll soon be laughing like the Brits.
We will provide you with important tools and tips to help you enjoy the great world of British humour!
What You Will Need: Essential Resources and Recommendations
To truly appreciate the nuances of British humour, immerse yourself in its rich comedic landscape. Here are some recommendations for British comedy series, TV shows, and literature that serve as excellent starting points:
TV Shows
- Fawlty Towers
- Monty Python’s Flying Circus
- The Office (UK)
- Blackadder
Comedy Series
- The Royle Family
- Peep Show
- Friday Night Dinner
- Gavin & Stacey
Literature
Watching these shows and exploring these literary works will provide valuable insights into the workings of British humour. Pay attention to the dialogue, timing, cultural references, and the overall comedic style.
Step 1: Identifying Humour in Daily Conversations
The key to understanding British humour is to be aware and listen closely. Start by focusing on casual talks you hear every day. You will often notice common themes like self-deprecation, irony, and sarcasm.
Don’t hesitate to ask if a joke makes no sense to you. Brits are usually willing to explain their jokes. As you learn more about British humour, you will start to see the funny patterns and expect punchlines.
Keep in mind that British humour can be subtle. It helps to notice the tone of voice, facial expressions, and the situation to understand the real meaning.
Step 2: Exploring Humour in British TV Shows and Literature
Venturing into British TV shows and literature is like entering a whole new hilarious world! You can start with classics like “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” for strange laughs. Or you could watch “Fawlty Towers” to enjoy great jokes made out of very awkward moments.
If you want something more modern, check out “The Office” (UK version) for Ricky Gervais’s dry, deadpan comedy style. You might also try the dark humor in “Peep Show,” which shows the odd thoughts of two friends who struggle in social situations. While you watch and read the subtitles, pay attention to how humour is created. Look at the characters’ bonds and the clever use of words.
British Humour: Final Thoughts
British humour is a fun mix of wit, sarcasm, irony, and self-mockery. To really understand it, you need to enjoy wordplay, cultural references, and satire, and it also helps to see the mildly offensive jokes as friendly fun.
To start practicing, either chat with a native speaker or watch British TV shows and read their literature. It’s all about loving the clever wordplay and finding laughter in daily life. So, grab your tea and biscuits, and start your journey to discover the charm of British humour and comedy!
