Humour, irony and culture
Get the joke, use light humour, and know British from American. Lesson 55 of 58: Mastery, CEFR C2.
Irony, sarcasm and banter
- English humour, British especially, runs on irony: saying the opposite with a straight face. “Lovely weather” in the pouring rain. “Well, that went well” after a disaster. Banter is friendly teasing between people who like each other; taking it lightly, and returning it gently, builds closeness.
- Self-deprecating humour (about yourself) is the safest: it shows confidence. Avoid humour about other people’s appearance, nationality, religion or gender, and be careful with sarcasm in writing, where tone disappears.
- Lovely weather we’re having! (In the rain: irony)
- Well, that could have gone better. (Understated humour after a disaster)
- I’m great at deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. (Douglas Adams, self-deprecating)
British and American English
- Both are correct; be consistent. Words: flat/apartment, lift/elevator, holiday/vacation, queue/line, biscuit/cookie, mobile/cell phone, autumn/fall, the bill/the check. Spelling: colour/color, organise/organize, centre/center, travelled/traveled. Grammar: “Have you got…?” / “Do you have…?”; “at the weekend” / “on the weekend”; British collective nouns can be plural: “The team are…”
- Style: Americans are often more direct and enthusiastic (“That’s awesome!”); British speakers more understated (“That’s not bad at all”). Neither is better; read the room.
- Could we have the bill, please? (British)
- Could we get the check? (American)
- I’m on holiday next week. (British; American: on vacation)
Laughing along
- When you do not get a joke, it is fine to smile and say “Ha, I’m not sure I got that one, what does it mean?” People enjoy explaining their own jokes. A simple “Ha, very good” or “That’s brilliant” keeps the mood when you did get it.
- Ha! That’s brilliant.
- I think that one went over my head. (I did not understand the joke)
- Tip: Humour is the last skill of fluency. Collect jokes and funny lines you hear, and retell them: timing improves with practice.
Lines to have ready
- That went over my head. (You did not get it)
- I’m only joking. (Clarifying a joke)
- You’re pulling my leg! (You are teasing me)
- Well, that could have gone better. (Understated humour)
- Ha, good one. (Laughing along)
Your turn to speak
- Tell a short funny story about a small mistake you made (self-deprecating), with an ironic line in it. Then tell it again for an American audience and a British one, changing three words.
- My humour was about myself, not others
- I used one ironic line
- I switched three words between British and American
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