Moving to the UK can involve adapting to a whole manner of cultural differences: meal times, queuing culture, punctuality, food and drink—to name just a few. But one key element of the culture in the UK that can be particularly difficult to grasp at first is comedy and humour.
The British sense of humour can be puzzling to newcomers, due to its distinctive style and tone. Understanding it can take time, but once mastered, it will open you up to new perspectives and a deeper understanding of British culture as a whole.
At Remitly, we want to make your transition into life in the UK as smooth as possible. Here’s our guide to British humour, where we take a look at the key elements that make it so unique.
Overview of British Comedy
British comedy goes way back, with influences in modern humour being traced back to medieval and even Roman times. The great British playwright, William Shakespeare, wrote a number of comedies that are still known and performed today, like The Taming of the Shrew, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Fast-forward to today, and comedy is an inherent part of British culture. It has evolved throughout the years and is present in literature, theatre, TV, film, and day-to-day interactions. Brits love making fun of themselves, and their self-deprecating and dry sense of humour is part of what makes them unique and is a strong part of their identity.
So what makes British comedy so unique?
Key Elements of British Humour
British humour contains a mix of elements that all combine to create its unique and distinctive style. Let’s take a look at some of the main features.
Understatement in British comedy
British humour downplays serious or extreme situations for comedic effect. Making a situation out to be less serious than it is creates a subtle, but funny effect due to a person’s reaction being the opposite of what you would expect. For example, referring to a dramatic event as “a little bit unexpected,” or a difficult situation as “a bit of a pickle.”
Sarcasm and irony
Sarcasm and irony are common forms of everyday communication in the UK, often used as an indirect way to show amusement or dissatisfaction. The characteristic dry and deadpan delivery is a good indication of sarcasm, showing that someone actually means the opposite of what they’re saying. For example, when something goes wrong, they might say “That’s just perfect, isn’t it.”
Surrealism in British humour
Surreal comedy with nonsensical situations is also a popular feature of British humour, with often bizarre and daft situations that highlight the sometimes absurd side of life.
Ability to laugh at yourself
British humour is extremely self-deprecating, and built around the ability to laugh at yourself and not take yourself too seriously. “Banter” and teasing is usually meant in a good-natured way, and, in fact, are often a sign of affection.
Cultural Influences on British Humour
British humour today is the result of influences over hundreds of years. British satire dates back to medieval times, and humour providing a social commentary can be traced back centuries. Darker, self-deprecating humour emerged during wartime as a way of coping, and then stuck.
Influence of British society on comedic style
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- Social class: The UK has a long history of class divisions, which have inspired satirical comparisons that highlight and mock things like upper-class snobbery and pretensions.
- Regional differences: These have played a huge part in influencing British humour. From differences between the four nations that make up the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), to the more general “north-south divide,” or even local rivalries and regional accents, the country’s great diversity has built a complex comedic landscape.
- British politeness and indirectness: Brits are notoriously polite and indirect, and this comes through in their use of humour. Subtlety and understatement are key.
- The British “stiff upper lip”: The British tendency is to be stoic and calm in difficult times. This has influenced humour in a way that Brits understate, laugh at themselves, and embrace social awkwardness.
- British weather: Don’t underestimate how often British people like to talk about—and joke about—the weather, which is notorious for being changeable, grey, and wet. Brits turn to humour as a way to make light of the gloomy days, so don’t be surprised to hear “Lovely day, isn’t it” during a torrential downpour.
Popular Forms of British Humour
British humour is diverse, and comes in many different forms. Aside from your daily conversations, let’s take a look at the whats and whos of humour in the UK.
The Great British pun
The pun: the play on words that is beloved by Brits. Wordplay is a key feature of British humour, combining double meanings with wit and subtlety. Tabloid newspapers often use puns in their headlines; many pub names use puns for their names; and many people are fond of these “dad jokes” that make you groan at how bad they are.
See if you can decipher these puns:
- A fish and chips shop called The Codfather
- “Dad, did you get a haircut?” “No, I got them all cut.”
- Why do Brits always carry a teabag? In case they find themselves in hot water!
Common types of comedy shows
Comedy is one of the top genres on British television, and you don’t have to look far to find something to make you laugh. Here are some of the types of comedy shows you can expect to find on TV in the UK:
Sitcoms
There have been countless British sitcoms throughout the years, and many of the most well-known ones are ingrained in British culture. The top British sitcom of all time is widely considered to be the 1980s show Only Fools and Horses, which was set in south-east London and based on the lives of brothers Del Boy and Rodney.
Other popular sitcoms to check out: Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, The IT Crowd, Peep Show, The Royle Family, The Office.
Panel shows
These are a common format on British TV. Typically, comedians and/or celebrities make up the panels and compete over tasks related to topics like current affairs, sports, or general knowledge.
You might like these well-known panel shows: QI, Mock the Week, Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News For You?, Taskmaster.
Sketch shows
Different from a sitcom, sketch shows contain a series of short scenes with different settings and characters, which often parody common stereotypes. There have been some hugely popular sketch shows over the years in the UK, and many well-known catchphrases are still in common use today.
These sketch shows are well-loved in the UK: Monty Python, Little Britain, The League of Gentleman, The Fast Show.
Stand-up comedy shows
Comedians’ stand-up shows to live audiences are often televised. Each comedian has their own personal style and content, with some being more risqué than others, so some may not be your cup of tea—try different ones out to find something to suit your personal taste.
Comedians often tour and present their comedy in live shows. Check out sites like Ticketmaster for tour and ticket info.
These comedians are popular for their stand-up sets: Peter Kay, Jimmy Carr, James Acaster, Michael McIntyre, Sarah Millican, Lee Mack, Jason Manford.
Key British humourists
The list of Brits who have influenced British humour is endless. We can go back to the 14th century and mention Geoffrey Chaucer, the English writer and poet whose collection of stories, The Canterbury Tales, is filled with satire. Jump to the 16th century, and the literary icon Shakespeare was born. Later, in the 19th century, the great Charles Dickens regularly incorporated comedic characters into his works.
Today, the UK has a thriving comedy scene. Preferences will depend on individual taste, but here is a list of some of the best-known British humorists of current and recent times:
- Ricky Gervais: Probably best-known as the co-creator and star of the sitcom The Office, Gervais’s satirical, mocking, and often dark style of humour has had a big influence on British humour and “cringe comedies.”
- Stephen Fry: Fry is known for being extremely knowledgeable, and he combines this knowledge with warm and accessible humour. Over the years, he has starred in a number of popular shows, including QI, a comedy panel quiz show that tests panellists’ (usually other comedians) knowledge on obscure topics.
- Dawn French: French has been a household name since the 1980s. Although she is less active on the comedy scene these days, French is undoubtedly one of the most influential female British comedians of all time. Check out her hugely popular sitcom, The Vicar of Dibley.
- Peter Kay: Kay’s comedy features a strong influence on observational comedy, where he finds humour in typical and mundane daily occurrences to hilarious effect. Kay holds a place as one of the UK’s most beloved comedians thanks to his warm and relatable style.
- Steve Coogan: Coogan’s most famous character, Alan Partridge, is legendary in British culture. Partridge, a local radio host, is a character that will make you cringe with his lack of tact and tendency to offend his guests. Despite not being the most likeable character, Partridge is considered a national treasure in British comedy.
- Miranda Hart: Hart had a hugely popular, self-named sitcom, Miranda, between 2009 and 2015. Hart plays the lead character, an exaggerated version of herself who is clumsy and socially awkward, which endeared her to viewers.
- Michael McIntyre: McIntyre is currently one of the UK’s most popular and successful comedians. His likeable character and inoffensive content, which leans heavily on observational comedy, have made him a household name.
This is just a small glimpse into the people who have had an influence on British comedy in more recent years. Do your research to find out which ones you like the most!
Understanding British humour
For newcomers, British humour might be challenging to understand at first. If sarcasm and irony aren’t part of the humour in your home culture, it can be difficult to detect—and can also be misinterpreted. Cultural references are also an important part of British humour, so a certain amount of background knowledge is needed to fully understand it.
Wordplay is also common, which can be challenging to grasp, particularly if English isn’t your first language. And British humour can be quite subtle and understated, which can add an additional level of complexity compared to more direct humour styles.
Tips for appreciating and understanding British humour
There are things you can do to help increase your understanding and appreciation of British humour. Consider these tips:
- Interact with locals. Over time, you’ll pick up more and more references, and the unique sense of humour will start to feel more familiar to you.
- Watch both classic and modern British comedies.
- Learn common British idioms and expressions.
- Embrace dry humour and try not to take jokes at face value.
- If people tease you, it’s generally meant in a friendly way rather than to offend you—pay attention to their tone of voice.
- If you’re on social media, follow British comedy accounts like Very British Problems, which posts funny and relatable content about the quirks of British people and life.
Why it’s fun to be British
The UK’s humour is an inherent part of the country’s culture and identity, and taking the time to understand it could help you feel more integrated into life there. Humour is a way to deal with the frustrations of day-to-day life, and Brits can make a joke in the most unexpected or mundane of situations (the weather and train delays are top subject matter).
One of the great things about British people is that they don’t take themselves too seriously, and they enjoy laughing at themselves. That’s something that brings people together, across different backgrounds and generations.
So, take a dive into the world of British humour. Before you know it, you’ll be sharing banter with your colleagues, and quoting from your favourite show like a bona fide Brit.
FAQs
What is British comedy like?
Comedy in the UK is reflective of British people’s unique character and sense of humour. It’s characterised by a high level of sarcasm, irony, and self-deprecation. British comedy can be very dry, can be characterised by tongue-in-cheek mocking of others, and values the ability to be able to laugh at oneself.
What are some popular British comedy shows?
Comedy shows in the UK are extremely wide-ranging, ranging from sitcoms (situational comedy) to panel shows, stand-up, satirical news shows, comedy dramas, and much more. Some of the most well-known shows are The Office, Peep Show, Gavin and Stacey, Have I Got News For You, The Inbetweeners, and Mr. Bean.
What makes British culture unique?
There are many things that make British culture unique, its humour being just one of them. The UK is also unique in terms of its history, food culture, love of tea, unique festivals and traditions, and its people’s reserved and polite nature.