Humour is a universal language, but sometimes it seems like Americans and Brits are speaking completely different dialects. While British humour is sometimes beloved across the pond, it does often leave Americans scratching their heads. These are 17 reasons why Americans might not find Brits all too funny.
Dry and Sarcastic Tone
Huffpost explains that “irony and heavy sarcasm are the bedrock of British humour,” and this can be a bit too subtle for American tastes. They often prefer more overt and obvious jokes, while Brits love the understated and deadpan delivery. The subtlety of British sarcasm might be missed, leading to misunderstandings rather than laughs.
Different Cultural References
British humour often relies heavily on cultural references that Americans might not understand. Whether it’s jokes about British politicians, TV shows, or historical events, these references can fly over the heads of American viewers. Without the context, the humour can fall flat, leaving Americans confused rather than amused.
Darker Humour
Comedy in the UK has a reputation for being darker and more morbid, with shows like “The Office” (the original UK version) and “Blackadder” often exploring themes of failure, misery, and bleakness. This type of humour can be off-putting for Americans who are more accustomed to a lighter, more optimistic comedic style.
Wordplay and Puns
The Brits love their wordplay and puns, with clever linguistic tricks put into their jokes. However, these can sometimes be lost on people from the U.S., who might not pick up on the nuances of the language or the double meanings. What comes off as witty and clever might just seem confusing to those across the pond.
Different Social Norms
Comedy often plays on social norms and taboos, which can vary greatly between cultures. What’s considered funny in the UK might be seen as rude or inappropriate in the USA, and vice versa. These different boundaries can lead to jokes that don’t translate well across the Atlantic.
Understatement vs. Exaggeration
Humour in the United Kingdom tends to favour understatement, where something is intentionally downplayed to create a comedic effect. Americans, on the other hand, often prefer exaggeration and over-the-top antics, and this fundamental difference in comedic style can make British jokes seem too muted for their tastes.
Class-Based Jokes
Often poking fun at the class system, this concept doesn’t resonate as strongly with residents of the USA, thanks to the intricacies of British social hierarchy and the humour that comes from it, which can be lost on those unfamiliar. As a result, class-based jokes might not hit the mark for other audiences.
Self-Deprecation
Self-deprecating humour is a staple in comedy from England, as locals love to make fun of themselves, often in a very harsh way. While self-deprecation exists in American humour, it’s usually less severe, and the intense self-mockery common in British jokes can be uncomfortable or confusing for those who aren’t used to it.
Absurd and Surreal Comedy
British comedy often delves into the absurd and surreal, with shows like “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” being prime examples. This type of gag can be bewildering to people from the USA who prefer more straightforward and logical jokes. The randomness and absurdity might be seen as strange rather than funny.
Different Slang and Vocabulary
The differences in slang and vocabulary between British and American English can create a barrier to understanding jokes, too. Words that are funny or have double meanings in British English might not have the same effect in American English. This linguistic gap can make some British jokes fall flat for American listeners.
Humour in Everyday Life
It’s also common for English jokes to find comedy in the mundane and everyday life, while American humour tends to look for the extraordinary and outlandish. This difference means that jokes about the trivialities of British life might not resonate with individuals who are looking for bigger, more dramatic punchlines.
Irony and Paradox
Irony and paradox are common elements in humour local to the UK, but these concepts don’t always come through clearly to audiences overseas. The Brits’ love for saying the opposite of what they mean, or finding humour in contradictions, can be confusing for those who aren’t accustomed to this style.
Satirical Edge
With a reputation for its sharp satire, often targeting politics, society, and institutions, British comedy offers something different to American comedy—which also has its satirical elements, but is less biting and more forgiving. This sharper edge can be a turn-off for Americans who prefer a softer, more humorous critique.
Lack of Laugh Track
Many sitcoms in the UK don’t use laugh tracks either, while America’s shows often do. The absence of a laugh track can make it harder for American audiences to know when to laugh, and this difference in the presentation can make British comedies feel less funny because the cues for humour are less obvious.
Reserved Delivery
Those fans of British comedy will also know that their comedians often deliver their jokes in a very reserved and composed manner. This restraint can make the humour feel too subdued for American tastes, which tend to favour more energetic and expressive comedic performances.
Different Historical Contexts
Shaped by a different historical context, jokes in England are influenced by these themes and references in their jokes, meaning an American audience might not fully grasp these historical nuances. This can make it harder to appreciate the humour, and the lack of shared historical background can create a disconnect in understanding.
Timing and Pacing
One final reason Americans simply don’t get British humour is the timing and pacing, which can vary between British and American comedy. British humour often relies on a slower build-up and more deliberate delivery, while American humour tends to be faster-paced and punchier. This difference in comedic rhythm can make British jokes feel too slow for some.
