Humour is a funny thing—literally—as what makes one person laugh might leave another completely stone-faced. This difference is never more evident than when you compare British and American humour, and while both nations love a good joke, they often find themselves laughing at entirely different things.
Over-The-Top Enthusiasm
One of the first things that Brits notice about American humour is its over-the-top enthusiasm. British comedy often thrives on subtlety, sarcasm, and a certain dry delivery that makes the punchline hit harder, when in contrast, American humour can be loud, with exaggerated expressions.
Predictable Punchlines
Predictability is another sticking point, as British humour is known for its unexpected twists and clever wordplay, where the punchline comes from an unexpected angle. American jokes, on the other hand, often follow a more predictable pattern, leading to punchlines that Brits can see coming a mile off.
Sappiness and Sentimentality
Brits have a reputation for keeping emotions close to the chest, which is reflected in their humour; American comedy, however, often blends humour with a dose of sentimentality, resulting in scenes that switch between jokes and heartfelt moments. While this emotional mix can be endearing, it’s often a bit too sugary for British tastes.
The Need to Explain the Joke
American comedians sometimes feel the need to explain the joke, making sure everyone in the audience gets it. For Brits, this can be incredibly frustrating, as in British humour, the joy often lies in the subtlety and the shared understanding that everyone is in on the joke without needing it spelled out.
Lack of Self-Deprecation
Self-deprecation is a cornerstone of UK humour, as locals love to poke fun at themselves, often taking a humorous look at their own flaws and shortcomings. American humour, by contrast, tends to focus more on outward jokes, often at the expense of others, and this lack of self-deprecation can come across as arrogant.
Canned Laughter
There’s nothing quite as off-putting to Britons as canned laughter, with many American sitcoms filled with these pre-recorded laughs, which cue the audience when to laugh. Brits, however, prefer to decide for themselves when something is funny.
Excessive Political Correctness
British humour often dances on the edge of what’s considered acceptable, poking fun at taboo subjects and making jokes that are close to the bone, while U.S. humour—especially in recent years—tends to be more careful, adhering to strict standards of political correctness.
Obsession with Gross-Out Comedy
There’s a significant cultural divide when it comes to gross-out comedy. While American humour often leans into crude jokes and physical comedy that revolves around bodily functions or slapstick, Brits tend to find this type of humour more juvenile.
Relentless Optimism
Those from Britain are known for their dry, often cynical outlook, which is reflected in their comedy, when humour from the states, by contrast, is often imbued with a sense of relentless optimism. Characters in American comedies often face problems with a sunny disposition and an “everything will work out” attitude, which for Brits can feel grating.
Stereotypical Characters
In American comedy, characters are often exaggerated to the point of becoming stereotypes; whether it’s the nerd, the jock, or the ditzy blonde, these broad caricatures are staples of American sitcoms. Brits, however, tend to prefer more nuanced characters who are a bit more relatable and less one-dimensional.
Reluctance to Embrace Dark Humour
Dark humour is a beloved part of British comedy, where making light of serious, often morbid subjects is commonplace, when instead U.S. humour tends to shy away from this type of comedy, favouring more upbeat and inoffensive material. This reluctance to embrace the darker side of life can make American humour seem a bit too safe.
Overuse of Puns
While puns have their place in comedy, American humour can sometimes go overboard with them. In British comedy, puns are used sparingly and with great effect, but in American sitcoms, they can often feel forced and overused.
The Need for a Happy Ending
In many U.S. comedies, there’s a noticeable need for everything to wrap up neatly with a happy ending, where characters often learn a lesson, conflicts are resolved, and everyone leaves with a smile. British humour, on the other hand, doesn’t shy away from leaving things unresolved or even ending on a downbeat note.
Absence of Satire
Satire is a huge part of humour in the United Kingdom, where politics, social norms, and everyday life are all fair game for sharp, biting commentary. American humour does include satire, but it’s often less pointed and more generalised.
Overreliance on Catchphrases
Catchphrases are a hallmark of many American sitcoms, with characters delivering the same line in every episode to guaranteed laughs. While these catchphrases can become iconic, they can also grow tiresome quickly—especially for Brits who prefer fresh material.
The Love of the Absurd
While Brits appreciate absurd humour, there’s a particular brand of absurdity in American comedy that doesn’t always land well across the pond. Shows like “Family Guy” or “The Simpsons” often veer into the ridiculous, with nonsensical gags that seem to come out of nowhere.
Overly Long Setups
Comedy from the states can sometimes involve long-winded setups for a joke, with a lot of build-up before finally delivering the punchline. Brits, who are used to quick wit and sharp one-liners, can find this pacing frustrating, as they prefer humour that gets to the point.
Lack of Irony
Irony is a staple of British humour—where what’s said often means the opposite of what’s intended—and American humour tends to be more straightforward, with jokes that are delivered at face value. This lack of irony can make the humour feel too obvious and lacking in the layered meanings that people from the UK enjoy.
Overuse of Pop Culture References
American humour often leans heavily on pop culture references, with jokes that rely on the audience’s familiarity with movies, TV shows, and celebrities. While this can be funny for those in the know, it can also be alienating for those who don’t share the same cultural touchpoints.
Heavy-Handed Morality
Often coming with a moral lesson, where the comedy is tied up with a message about right and wrong, comedy from America can be heartwarming in this way, but it can also feel heavy-handed to Brits. They prefer their humour to stand on its own without a moral lecture attached.
Lack of Dry Wit
Finally, dry wit is the backbone of British humour, where the funniest lines are often delivered in the most understated way, while it tends to be more direct and less subtle from American comedians. Their jokes are often clearly marked as jokes.
