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The UK's Favourite Type of Humour

The UK's Favourite Type of Humour
September 07, 2022

What's so funny?... We've all heard the age old advice that 'laughter is the best medicine', but what is it that really makes the nation chuckle.

The stresses of everyday life can begin to take its toll on our physical and mental health, causing symptoms such as raised blood pressure, headaches, problems sleeping, depression and anxiety. 

We’ve all heard the age old advice that ‘laughter is the best medicine’. Just a simple smile is enough to trigger a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing dopamine and serotonin to boost your mood. Whether it’s a myth, or can be scientifically proven, there is no denying that a good ol’ chuckle with family and friends can make even the worst of things seem not so bad anymore.  

Us Brits are renowned for many things, some good and some bad. Cups of tea, scones, odd politeness in queues, and our dry, pessimistic, and often rude humour. British humour is hard to pin down and is often misunderstood. Admittedly British humour is rather varied, but it no doubt usually involves a serious amount of sarcasm and wit. 

 

The UK's Favourite Type of Humour

Some say sarcasm is the lowest form of wit … but it seems that just under a third (28%) of Brits disagree. A recent survey conducted by Fenetic Wellbeing found that witty humour is Brits favourite type of humour, closely followed by dark humour (24%) and dry humour (23%). Unfortunately, toilet humour has gone to sh*t, making it the UK’s least favourite type of humour. 

When it comes to age, our survey revealed that young people between the ages of 18-24 are said to find dark humour funniest (41%), whilst those 25+ are most amused by peoples witty humour. Dark humour refers to a style of comedy that makes light of usually more serious and taboo topics, often with the aim of making those around them feel uncomfortable. Previously dark humour was used to ridicule others, however we’re now seeing this more morbid kind of humour displayed across social media. People are frequently using their platforms to ridicule themselves and their own unfortunate situations. 

 

So you think you're funny?

While the majority of Brits love a bit of sarcasm, a good pun and to laugh at their own (and other’s) misfortune, their humour is not always appreciated by everyone. So, you may think you’re funny but how funny are you really? 

Unfortunately, it’s the people we’re closest to that are usually the butt of the joke. Weirdly, offensiveness is often seen as a sign of friendship and respect in British culture.  There is no better friendship than one where you are comfortable enough to throw some witty, tongue-in-cheek remarks at one another. It builds character, right?

Southerners are funnier than Northerners?... or at least they think they are!

Fenetic Wellbeing’s survey has revealed that *controversially* Southerners consider themselves funnier than Northerners do. With 87% of those down South considering themselves averagely funny or above, and only 84.4% of Northerners seeing themselves as averagely funny or above. 

 

 

Credits

1 https://spsp.org/news-center/character-context-blog/are-men-really-funnier-women

2 https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7313050/british-humour-north-vs-south-funny/

 

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