Have the Simpsons got Britishness right?
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008
An American colleague is wanting our help with this question. He has viewed the Simpsons episode where they come to Britain and has noted
- We use of certain kinds of phrases, i.e. my word, I say, cross the pond
- Big Ben is iconic in terms of Britishness.
- We have a dry wit and humour.
- We are “classy”, everyone wears suits and tuxedos or, when in the Tower of London, are dressed more like the rural people.
- We refer to women of power as “Mum” (Judy Dench and then The Queen)
- Theatres play nothing but Shakespeare.
- People tend to be rich.
How representative is this of Britishness?
Help the ‘special relationship’.


