There are a ton of reasons why we love the United Kingdom—from its gorgeous nature and culture to its wide-ranging cuisine and renowned literature. But something that keeps us coming back is our love for the British press with all of its ups, downs, and unique quirks. There’s honestly hardly anything better than making a big cup of tea and opening up the serious Sunday papers or going for a cheeky scroll through the digital tabloids. It’s entertaining. It’s fun. It’s off the hook!
Now that’s where the ‘Mental UK Headlines’ Twitter page comes in. A social media project that unites nearly 100k followers, the account features some of the funniest, most bizarre, and downright ludicrous news stories and headlines found in the British press. Both in the tabloids and in the more serious (digital) papers. And today we’re featuring some of their very best finds to bring a smile to your face. Just because the press isn't yellow doesn't mean it's not immune to some truly bizarre headlines.
Go on, grab yourself some biscuits and enjoy a good laugh. Don’t forget to upvote the pics that you enjoyed the most, send a few your friends’ way, and if you really love what you’re seeing, give ‘Mental UK Headlines’ a follow for some more top-tier humor.
Bored Panda got in touch with author, comedy writer, journalist, and all-around talented creative Ariane Sherine from the UK. We had a chat about tabloids, catchy headlines, and why the Brits love the sensationalist press so much. Read on for our full interview with her!
This post may include affiliate links.
Journalist and comedy expert Ariane, from London, shared her thoughts about the tabloids (or the ‘red tops’ as the Brits call them) with Bored Panda.
“I think the British press, particularly the sensationalist yellow press uses a lot more wordplay, humor, and puns in headlines—and also employs shock to grab the reader,” Ariane told us.
“You’ve also got our tabloid the Daily Sport, which I wouldn’t even class as a newspaper as it’s mostly made up for entertainment and titillation!”
We were curious to get Ariane’s take on why the British enjoy tabloids so much, whether it’s all for the sake of being entertained or if they actually believe the biased news printed there.
“I definitely think people read the Sport purely for cheeky entertainment and to look at scantily clad women, as it’s only meant for that,” the journalism expert told us.
“But a lot of people get all their news from the Sun or Star, which is a bit worrying. They definitely believe everything they read in those papers—and they shouldn’t!” she warned.
Meanwhile, when it comes to writing striking headlines, Ariane said that a lot depends on the topic in question. If you care about the issues on a personal level, you’re already more likely to read the story.
She shared some of the things that journalists ought to look at when writing headlines: “What’s the human interest angle? What would grab my attention? You have to distill the story into its essence in one sentence. What makes it entertaining?”
The ‘Mental UK Headlines’ project is fairly fresh. The account was started up on Twitter almost exactly a year ago, in April 2021. In that time, they’ve gotten the love and attention of 98.2k followers.
The account shows us a few things. First of all, how much a good headline can boost our mood for the next few hours (who doesn’t love a hearty chuckle?). Secondly, there are some truly weird events going on in the world. And lastly, the British yellow press is willing to write about pretty much anything and everything for the sake of a ‘story.’ Whether that restores or destroys your faith in humanity depends on your perspective.
During a previous interview, London-based comedy writer Ariane told Bored Panda that humor plays a huge role in British culture.
“I think it is inherently witty and quirky but coupled with a huge dose of irony and self-consciousness,” she shared her thoughts about British wit with us.
“[British humor is] sarcastic, petty, ridiculous, embarrassed, self-conscious, and underpinned with the knowledge and awareness of how silly Brits are,” the comedy expert explained to Bored Panda how we can define this unique sense of humor.
Could be worse. They could have been watching Eastenders. Now get out my pub you slaaaaag!
My issue was black adder. I was a weird kid I guess. My bro and I would quote it and laugh. Most Americans especially our age at the time didn't know black adder. Now he's deceased it's still a very special thing for me.
Terms in our house are a mashup now because of these programs. For example, the trash can is now and forever, "the bin".
Load More Replies...I'm South African. When my kid was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse age, she once referred to water as "wadduhrr" in an American accent. After that I made very sure to always get her the UK versions of the DVDs and not the US versions.
We don't all sound like we come from New Jersey!
Load More Replies...By the order of the Piggy fluffing Blinders 😆😆😆😆😆
Load More Replies...Maybe Peppa should do a Spanish version so we can become a bilingual nation!
my neice wanted her allowance in pounds after watching peppa pig lmao
This is legit. When my kid was three, she started saying she wanted to go "on holiday" to the "seaside" instead of "vacation to the beach". It made me chuckle.
Ugh my cousin is the same but the opposite, she watches a lot of American cartoonS and now she won’t stop talking americanly
Then they switch up with Dora too. Just walking around the grocery store they will say something like: "I would love to go on Holiday... Manzana deliciosa Rojas!" It is fantastic.
(British Accent) * Da-da-da--da-da I'm Peppa Pig, This is my little brother George, This is Mummy Pig, And this is Daddy Pig (How random kid announces his family after watching too much Peppa Pig)
i guess this is how i developed my british accent? i watched peppa pig a lot as a tiny child
Lol, my brother watched so much Thomas the Tank Engine that by the time he turned four, he was mimicking the narrator’s accent perfectly, just for fun! He is an adult now, and has since learned most of the nuances of the various accents in the UK and Ireland without really even trying. And yet refuses to do anything with his talent! It drives me bonkers!
My 11 year old still says straight away... it had to have been from Peppa.
Don't UK kids pickup American accent after watching hours and hours of US programming?
The ones I know it doesn't appear to have happened. Wondering if that's because there is still hours and hours of UK programming in the mix.
Load More Replies...I also heard that they were being more polite and saying 'please' and 'thank you'.
They could have been listening to an entity formerly known as the US President.
Heck, I'm sitting here reading all this in a Brit accent and I'm not a Brit either.
I hope that those kids don't think that all Brits have both eyes on one side of their heads.
Irish here and this happened to one of mine. Another developed an American accent from watching MLP. I just repeat it back and it stops. 😆
The accent is fine. If they pick up her selfish and entitled attitude, that would be an issue to sensible parents.
My kid loved Dora the explorer everything she said was in an American accent
There are courses to help one lose their accent. British accent - guy must be smart. Souther Drawl - Not so smart. Don't know why but it's true. The way we speak, and the grammatical rules we are supposed to meet, don't always allow for the songs of communication quirks. The fact that we can understand anything based on exchanging talk is a miracle in and off itself. The most incredible accomplishment man humans can claim. Now we need to have the listening part catch up.
During the quarantine when everybody had to figure out what to do with all these kids that we can drop off at school everyday.
“When people think of us, they think of the Royal Family, iconic images like London buses and phone boxes, afternoon tea, period dramas, and posh people—like Hugh Grant in Richard Curtis films!” Ariane said how the world tends to think of the British.
Som many people are left "crying and shaking", traumatized, or "devastated" these days.
She'd be a lot more recognizable if both eyes were on the same side of her nose.
“They see us as charming and antiquated and think we're adorable. Spoiler: we're not really like this! Which they'll find out if they ever visit Britain, but I guess most people never do, so we remain cute and posh in their imaginations,” the comedy writer quipped.
Meanwhile, Lisa McLendon, the William Allen White Professor of Journalism and Mass Communications and the coordinator of the Bremner Editing Center at the University of Kansas, was kind enough to share her insights about text and how to leave an immediate impact on the audience with us during an earlier interview.
The professor said that when you have to make an immediate impression on someone, like with a sign, it’s best to focus on clarity and brevity. That’s especially important in our world where there’s a seemingly endless stream of information and shortening attention spans.
"Clarity and brevity are essential. You only have a second or two to get your message across, so you want people to understand quickly with zero confusion," she told Bored Panda.
What’s more, journalism and editing expert Lisa stressed the necessity to proofread all of your work. And then getting someone else to proofread it again. It’s especially useful when you’re using text in ways that can’t be easily and cheaply edited later (like it would be online).
Yeah, we all make mistakes - sure, but you need to take responsibility for your actions. Saying "everyone does it" isn't really taking responsibility.
-"What is the purpose of your visit?" - "Well actually I'm a terrorist and I will be performing terrorist acts throughout the country" - "OK sir, enjoy your stay"
She also stressed that it’s important to choose the right font, with the audience in mind. It should be clear. It should be readable. It shouldn’t have your readers second-guessing what they’re looking at.
I saw this apparently it was found safely outside in a hedge. Apparently the staff were very worried about it as nature abhors a vacuum. 😂
It should be mentioned that this little girl has Autism and struggles a lot with selective eating, which in some cases can be so severe that they would rather starve than eat something that isn't familiar or suitable for their selective tastes/texture etc.
Note: this post originally had 70 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
You know if the Darwin awards were a real thing some of these people would have won too many times to be allowed to compete again.
Many of these could jut have easily been in Florida. The most bat shiit nuts state in the Union.
Texas keeps trying its hardest, but just can't knock The Sunshine State out of 1st place.
Load More Replies...https://metro.co.uk/2022/02/10/man-reunited-with-false-teeth-after-vomiting-them-into-bin-decade-ago-16083867/ How, oh how, did they miss this one?
I'm just snickering my ass off at these comments. Thanks BP community. You have made my day!
Florida man might have a case for trademark infringement. He is, after all, known for these exact type of antics. But I personally like to see the crazy spread around.
Why do you have a bored panda account if you don't like it tho? Lol
Load More Replies...There are dozens of those on this site already, no need to imagine.
Load More Replies...You know if the Darwin awards were a real thing some of these people would have won too many times to be allowed to compete again.
Many of these could jut have easily been in Florida. The most bat shiit nuts state in the Union.
Texas keeps trying its hardest, but just can't knock The Sunshine State out of 1st place.
Load More Replies...https://metro.co.uk/2022/02/10/man-reunited-with-false-teeth-after-vomiting-them-into-bin-decade-ago-16083867/ How, oh how, did they miss this one?
I'm just snickering my ass off at these comments. Thanks BP community. You have made my day!
Florida man might have a case for trademark infringement. He is, after all, known for these exact type of antics. But I personally like to see the crazy spread around.
Why do you have a bored panda account if you don't like it tho? Lol
Load More Replies...There are dozens of those on this site already, no need to imagine.
Load More Replies...