The Wicked Wit of England

by Geoff Tibballs

The Wicked Wit of England is celebration of British humour, featuring a collection of stories, anecdotes, quips and quotes that capture the various idiosyncrasies of the English character.If there is one thing that first-time visitors to England find mystifying – along with our fondness for eating chips out of old newspapers, our nostalgia for the shipping forecast (even though most of us have never ventured out to sea in a trawler) and the fact that not all men wear bowler hats to work – it is our sense of humour. ‘Ah, you English and your humour,’ they will say, with an air of suspicion, unsure as to whether they have just been unexpectedly praised or routinely insulted. It is easy to sympathize with them, for English humour encompasses a number of different styles. It can be surreal or satirical, dark or sophisticated, bawdy or genteel. And nobody does irony or sarcasm like the English. If Olympic gold medals were awarded for sarcasm, we would top the leader board every time.The various idiosyncrasies of the English character – the social awkwardness, the constant need to apologize, the obsession with the weather, the stiff upper lip, and the love of queuing, to name but a few – are celebrated in The Wicked Wit of England, a collection of stories, anecdotes, quips and quotes featuring English people from all walks of life, from Quentin Crisp to Frank Skinner and Stephen Hawking to Thora Hird. This book might not help outsiders understand the English, but it might make them tolerate us a little more.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2024

Reviews

[Ron]

“If there is another war, the Italians will be on Germany’s side,” said Joachim von Ribbentrop. Winston Churchill replied, “That seems only fair; we had them last time.”

Some really wicked humor; mostly lame. A pleasant collection by the compiler of several similar tomes.

“Bagpipes sound exactly the same when you have finished learning them as when you start.” Sir Thomas Beecham

“After divorcing his first wife, Mark Thatcher has married again. And who’s the lucky lady? Well, his first wife, obviously.” Clive Anderson

[Lynn Keith]

Delightful

Lots of fun to share with family. I had a blast. This whole series is terrific! Just what I was looking for to lift my spirits!

[Don]

I have been looking for movies/books that are humorous to help get me through these troubled times. The episodes vary from a line or two to several paragraphs. That is just right for picking up the book and going on to something else. The humor is dry (unlike the English climate) and amusing rather than fall out of your chair funny. I didn't get all of the humor but overall, it is worth reading.

[Patti Middleton]

This series keeps getting better

[Ellen Taylor]

A lively compilation of witticisms and foibles of our English brethren across the pond. I can decide which Brit Lit lover to pass this one on to?!?

[Carolyn]

This is not funny. I fell asleep reading it, and didn't feel like sharing one quip with my husband like I did with Scotland's. Now it's on to Ireland.

[Eva ಇ]

lot of fun facts!!