If you live in the United Kingdom, you might have noticed that British people love to make jokes, whether they are at work, in class, or simply hanging out with friends. This sense of humor might be difficult for non-natives to get used to, but eventually they might be bursting into laughter anyway.
According to English teachers at International House Manchester, people need to understand that Brits aren’t funny because they tell big stories or jokes; their humor comes from subtle wit. One example is the endless puns folks from the UK love to tell, and they might even invent new ones to impress others.
Another interesting part of the British sense of humor is their deadpan delivery, where they say the funniest things with the most serious expression. This way of joking might come across as weird at first to someone who is not used to it, but after a while of hearing British folks say absurd things without complete seriousness, you might get the hang of it.
This also plays into their sarcastic and ironic personalities, as many say the opposite of what they mean to turn any topic into a joke. This kind of sarcasm is usually meant to be taken lightly, but sometimes Brits might use it when confronting someone. It’s up to you to figure out which kind they are aiming at you.
The awesome sense of humor that you see in this list isn’t something new that popped up in recent years; it actually goes back a long time. According to Cassidy Rush, who’s a writer with a background in careers, business, and education, British comedy goes way back to medieval and even Roman times.
William Shakespeare, who is renowned as a great Brit playwright, wrote many comedies that are still loved even today. This shows that humor has long served as social commentary, offering solace even in times of war and strife.
#11 “Where’s The Pride Flag?” “Who Knows. Just Put Out The Twister Mat.”
British humor doesn’t always follow a set pattern, but it often covers topics like social class disparity and how those divisions affect people. What’s interesting about this style of jokes is that the people making them never shy away from covering tough topics that other people might feel afraid to talk about.
Other interesting British jokes you may hear could be about the weather, which is notorious for being chaotic and always subject to change. They love turning their messiness into something lighthearted, as that’s also something even non-native folks might be able to find common ground on.
For someone new to British culture, this style of humor can be extremely tough to adjust to. That’s why Cassidy Rush also advises folks to interact with the locals as much as possible to pick up on the intricacies of what they are saying. Even watching UK dramas and television shows can teach you a lot.
Also, it might help newcomers embrace British dry wit and try it out themselves, even if it feels awkward at first. People might tease you, but that’s also part of their friendly style, so it’s nothing to be afraid of.
Most people who have a good sense of humor will tell you that laughing or making other people crack up can really improve the mood. That's exactly what the Mayo Clinic explains: having fun with jokes and silly experiences can decrease stress hormones like epinephrine and cortisol.
These brain chemicals play a role in mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, which is why it’s necessary for a person to feel joyful. Even if a person is just watching a funny video, their body gets flooded with feel-good hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, which can make them feel much better.
