British Humour and Independence Eve

Happy Fourth of July… and Independence EveIndependence Eve

We Americans spend the Fourth of July each year celebrating our Independence from British rule. For many, it is marked by trips to the beach or the lake, grilling out, patriotic parades, and fireworks. It is the ultimate celebration of American Patriotism!

I happen to be married to a Brit… and as such, have been exposed to British humour (spelled with a ‘u’) and all sorts of British expressions… some of which have managed to work their way into my own daily vocabulary. There is definitely a difference in British humour and American humor and it is not just in the spelling.  According to Ricky Gervais (one of my favourites), British humour is more of an intellectual pursuit, often marked by irony and sarcasm, but very subtle. We Americans tend to be a little more direct in our humor.

I came across this Fourth of July ‘What if We Won’ video and think it is simply hilarious and thought that I would share it with you. It has been created by Newcastle Brown Ale, a British beer originally brewed in Newcastle Upon Tyne, and now produced by the Heineken Company. Last year, the thrust of their advertising was creating an ‘Independence Eve Holiday’ so that people would have an excuse to drink a British beer for Independence Eve and toast the Brits who definitely were vanquished by the American rebels in our War of Independence.

Newcastle Brown Ale Independence Eve

Newcastle Brown Ale Independence Eve

Have you ever wondered what this country would be if the British had won that war? Would we, indeed, be Great Britain 2? This year, with the help of Stephen Merchant, one of the writers of ‘The Office‘, Newcastle takes on the question of what America might have been if the Brits had won in this catchy little video. There will be sixteen videos in all featuring other well known British celebrities and if you would like to see more of these What if We Won videos, visit ifwewon.com.

Forget the hotdogs for a day… break out the bangers and mash and enjoy! (and if you are at work, turn down the volume just a wee bit).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1YvJBwC4xQ

Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July!

 

6 Comments on "British Humour and Independence Eve"

  1. “British humour is more of an intellectual pursuit, often marked by irony and sarcasm, but very subtle. We Americans tend to be a little more direct in our humor.”

    Ya, right…. Nothing says “intellectual pursuit” more than Benny Hill and all guys in frocks.

    • Carolina Travel Girl | June 27, 2014 at 10:43 pm | Reply

      I would say that Benny Hill and his gang, including ‘Hill’s Angels’, popular from the late 50’s through the early 80’s, would fall more into slapstick type comedy … and appropriate for the time. Corny now? Probably… but I can still watch him for a laugh. He was a Master of Innuendo…

  2. Giddy for Points | June 28, 2014 at 9:49 am | Reply

    Thanks for the video…was a good chuckle 🙂 Happy 4th of July!

    • Carolina Travel Girl | June 28, 2014 at 10:34 am | Reply

      Didn’t you just love it! I often have wondered ‘What If’ – I particularly like the language references – and the video about English muffins.

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