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Depending on what side of the pond you happen to live on, words like “afternoon tea,” “lift,” and “chips,” all mean something different. So it stands to reason that memes, jokes and other funny little bits of everyday life will be different as well.

The “Great London Meme” Instagram page is a wonderful repository of posts and content about the hilarious and painfully relatable parts of life in the UK. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments down below.

More info: Instagram

#1

Tweet about a polite exchange on the London Overground showcasing witty British humor in London memes.

@hwallop Report

JK
Community Member
2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the US you'd get punched or stabbed.

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    #2

    Tweet meme joking about washing machine and London Underground minutes, showcasing British humor in London memes.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Tucker Cahooter
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are powered by the world's most mathematically solid random number generators

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    #3

    Social media post about Londoner memes suggesting three pedestrian lanes for different types of walkers in London.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Bill
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like the motorways you'd still get the idiots lane hogging and going slow.

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    One of the most hilarious aspects of comparing UK and American English is that you know right away you can speak the "same" language and miss half a conversation. The words, spellings, and even rhythms of speech diverged as the two cultures split apart, and what seems normal in one country sounds quaint, confused, or even funny in the other.

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    Vocabulary is the most obvious difference. A Brit puts petrol in a car’s bonnet while an American puts gas in the hood. If you’re in the UK, you stand in a queue, in the US, you wait in line. An American might wear pants to work, but in Britain “pants” means underwear, so trousers is the safer choice if you don’t want raised eyebrows. Holiday and vacation, lift and elevator, lorry and truck, the list of mismatched everyday words is long enough to keep travelers blundering for years.

    #4

    Man locking a bicycle on a balcony in London, showcasing the wit of British humor in a relatable meme.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You don't want a swarm of pigeons taking off with your bike, do you?

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    #6

    Small closet labeled as bedroom 4 in a humorous London meme highlighting the wit of British humor about London landlords.

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    Korthias
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That room is for when Bender comes to visit

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    Spelling, too, has its quirks, many of them leftovers from Noah Webster, who in the 19th century sought to simplify and standardize American English. Colour lost its "u" and turned into color, centre to center, defence to defense, and organise borrowed the "z" of organize. The British like an additional "i" in spelling aluminium, whereas Americans keep aluminum. All of them are incorrect, they are just a product of two different histories of reform and opposition.

    #7

    Tweet humorously highlighting the high London housing prices with a witty British humor meme about affordability and lifestyle.

    @sophxthompson Report

    Lori
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve done this, your houses are so beautiful, and there is fresh air and garden space and I just LOVE what I see. I’d be on the next flight outta here (USA) if I could afford to do so!

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    #8

    Memes about London commuters and the Shard building showing the wit of British humor through clever comparisons.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Nea
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an Indian, my dea of London was from Charles Dickens, Wordsworth, Nd our own history books. When I first visited and saw Shards, I was slightly disappointed that I didnt visit the city when this ghastly building wasnt visible from almost everywhere.

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    #9

    Man in a tuxedo sitting on a train, caption referencing London zones, showcasing British humor in a meme.

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    James016
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think that is the Elizabeth line, if so he is way past the London travel Zones :)

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    Pronunciation makes more subtle but equally revealing distinctions. Americans always pronounce their "r" sounds distinctly, whereas most British accents omit or mumble them. Stress falls in varied places as well: Americans pronounce "ad-VER-tise-ment," whereas Brits tend to use "AD-ver-tis-ment." Even herb names are not exempt, in America the "h" in "herb" does not get pronounced, whereas it gets pronounced in the UK.

    #10

    Woman in a shearling coat and hat walking with a cane on a London street, embodying British humor in memes.

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    Three Possums in a Coat
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    bro your mum looks like she is in real housewives and or a mafia wife. Either way she slays that fit

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    #12

    Man in Christmas hat and festive sweater placing a London Tube Angel sign on top of a decorated Christmas tree, showcasing British humor.

    @tubemapper Report

    James016
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I follow this guy on Instagram. He is a professional photographer who specialises in the London Underground.

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    Then there are the idioms and cultural references. An American who says they’re “mad” usually means angry, in Britain “mad” is more likely to mean eccentric or mentally off. A British “public school” is an elite private institution, which sounds like nonsense to an American ear. Slang is another minefield: chips are fries in the US, but crisps are chips in the UK, a rubber is an eraser in Britain but something very different in the States.

    #13

    Crowded London Tube scene showing an empty seat no one will take, highlighting British humor and cultural politeness.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Sarah
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like when everyone is packed in like sardines, but apologises if your hands brush against each other holding the poles

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    #14

    Tweet by Dom Nicholls humorously comparing punctual trains in Ukraine with London’s Elizabeth Line delays, showcasing British humor wit.

    @DomNicholls Report

    Kristiina Männiste
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Heathrow is pure chaos anyways. The last time I was there they first announced our plane was at gate 3. Then 5 min before boarding they said - Oops its actually gate 22! How does one manage to displace a whole f plane like that?

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    #15

    Tweet about London’s central zoo and a giraffe watching a parking ticket, showcasing British humor in memes.

    @GuvnaB Report

    Jan Rosier
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same in Antwerp actually. Right next to Central Station, and surrounded by streets and squares.

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    Even punctuation and grammar show differences. Americans often place the period inside quotation marks, while British writers may put it outside unless it’s part of the original quotation. Collective nouns take plural verbs in the UK (“the team are winning”) but singular verbs in the US (“the team is winning”). These variations don’t usually stop understanding, but they subtly shape how writing feels.

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    #17

    Great Londoner meme humor about daily life in London highlighting witty British humor and London memes.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Sue Corvette
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember my parents having a book called “England on $5 a day”. Guess it’s out of print now.

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    #18

    Social media meme about London life contrasting harsh reality and positive image, highlighting British humor with emojis.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    The charm of this is that neither is necessarily "more correct." They both draw on centuries of shared history, marked by geography, reformers, books, and popular culture. Modern media blurs the line even further now, Brits pick up Americanisms from Hollywood, and Americans pick up British slang from music and streaming shows. The result is a playful congruence in which words shift, meanings alter, and "English" once more proves it has more personas than any one speaker can possibly handle.

    #20

    Text post from Great Londoner Memes joking about the tough walk to the tube from Wembley Stadium, London memes humor.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    James016
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's more of a shuffle. Then you have to get into the station.

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    #21

    Tweet about friends in London and Bristol paired with a meme of Lenny from The Simpsons, highlighting London memes and British humor.

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    Teutonic Disaster
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Since he's American, either student loans, healthcare debt or both.

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    #23

    Tweet humorously criticizes London public transport, highlighting British humor in memes about London life and transit issues.

    @EFCevie Report

    Fat Harry (Oi / You)
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One bus per hour? That's not rural, that's suburban! Out here in the sticks we get about three buses per day, nothing after five, and nothing at the weekend!

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    #24

    Tweet by Chris Offner humorously contrasting the Elizabeth and Central London lines, highlighting London memes and British humor.

    @chrisoffner3d Report

    James016
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On the Northern Line: "Why? Just Why?"

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    #25

    Tweet humorously praising Mini Eggs for mental health benefits, reflecting British humor in London memes.

    @our_jesse Report

    Sarah
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What abt salt and vinegar chippy chips also?

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    #26

    Tweet comparing heatwaves in Hong Kong and London, highlighting British humor in memes about London weather challenges.

    @hannahchrstina Report

    Sarah
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s like they’re taken by surprise every year. So many trains this summer had no working air - con

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    #27

    Hand holding smoked salmon trapped in anti-theft security cage at a London store checkout, showcasing British humor memes.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Owen
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Here in Portsmouth, we have gangs that will raid a place and steal all the expensive meat. The shop owners can't do anything about it, because how do you stop 20 people at once when you're just... Gary.

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    #28

    Woman in a black jacket waiting at a snowy London bus stop, capturing British humor in memes about London delays.

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    Tucker Cahooter
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It will arrive eventually, along with two others right behind

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    #30

    Tweet about Londoners rushing for trains humorously capturing British humor in London memes and wit.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    James016
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    3 Tube minutes is the same as 3 washing machine minutes.

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    #31

    Funny birthday cards with British slang terms mate and babes, highlighting London humor and wit in a store display.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    #32

    A tweet humorously highlighting British humor with a kid asking if the king lives in London on a train.

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    Joey Marlin
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Aw. It does have 'west' in it! City of Westminster - King Charles' main London residence is Clarence House at the moment.

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    #33

    A Londoner meme reflecting the witty British humor about loving and moaning about living in London.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    nottheactualphoto
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In New York, people would say "this city!" ...which is a complete sentence.

    #34

    Tweet about London humor: missing a bus by one minute and arriving an hour late, showcasing British wit in London memes.

    @ameliacabe74619 Report

    WubiDubi
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The Tube needs Japanese style passenger compactor staff.

    #36

    Twitter meme text about London’s golden hour in spring evoking hope and calm, highlighting British humor and London memes.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'Golden hour'? Is that the hour in the pub after Happy Hour, when the drinks are no longer half price but you've just got into your drinking stride so you don't care any more?

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    #37

    Hand with burgundy nails and silver star detail, humorously captioned, showcasing British humor in London memes.

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    Jan Rosier
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Any of the natives around to explain this one?

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    #38

    Man in a grey hoodie sharing a funny meme about booking early Stansted flights in London, highlighting British humor wit.

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    Ace
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For those unfamiliar with it, There are multiple "London" airports, only one of them (City airport, really small and a short runway restricts it to certain small aircraft types only) actually with London proper, the two major ones, Heathrow and Gatwick, ten to fifteen miles out of town, with (these days, but wasn't always the case) half-decent direct train services to Central London, then there are the two fake ones, Luton and Stansted, the latter of which is like 40 miles away, so from South London it's half a day's journey away.

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    #39

    Tweet humorously comparing men going to war with racing to sit on the London Underground, showcasing British humor memes.

    basbitsudania Report

    #40

    Man sweating heavily and smiling awkwardly, illustrating British humor in London memes about the UK heatwave and Tube travel.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    James016
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You also smell of 6 month old prawns

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    #41

    Diagonal staircase at London Bridge with people walking, featured in memes showcasing London wit and British humor.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Owen
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel drunk looking at these stairs. Unusually, I am sober right now.

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    #42

    Great Londoner meme warning about walking stairs at Covent Garden highlighting British humor in London memes.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Starbug
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've done it once, just for fun. Spoiler: it wasn't fun.

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    #43

    Tweet from Great Londoner Memes humorously highlighting London life with high rent, expensive pints, and crowded Central Line in British humor memes.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Dave Hunt
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So don't bloody live there!

    #44

    Scenic waterfall landscape with meme text comparing it humorously to East London in brilliant London memes.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Henrik Knudsen
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This would be Gullfoss in Iceland, about an hour drive from where I live.

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    #45

    Tweet humorously claiming the Victoria Line extended to the Italian Dolomites with a London Underground sign in the mountains.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    WubiDubi
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this the RMT unions' meeting house?

    #47

    Tweet comparing the value of 100 pounds in London to 100 dollars in Atlanta, highlighting British humor memes.

    @bratzmuniii Report

    #48

    Tweet about London Eurostar travel habits, showcasing British humor and wit in London memes.

    @PippyBing Report

    Fransanchez
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Have you seen the prices in Paris???? And the people that can afford to dinne in Paris, are not taking the train to go there.......

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    #49

    Crowded Oxford Street Christmas lights with a frustrated man, highlighting London memes and British humor wit.

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    moggiemoo
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Last time I was on Oxford Street at Christmas there was a one way system for pedestrians. One way on one side of the street, the opposite way on the other. It was quite effective.

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    #50

    Tweet highlighting London no-go zones with a photo of Finchley Central station signs, showcasing British humor memes about London.

    @sharonodea Report

    Eileen Gormly
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hahahaha - I used to live in Finchley! This was my station!

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    #51

    Tweet about a lost open Tupperware full of beans on a London sidewalk, showcasing witty British humor memes.

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    michael Chock
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your going to get swamped with replies. You should have them identify the Tupperware before you give them the address.

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    #52

    Twitter meme about lads calling you bruv in London, featuring a large historic castle by a pond, showcasing British humor.

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    FoxThatHasFennecaphobia
    Community Member
    2 months ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #54

    Tweet showing average house price and rent in London, highlighting London memes that capture British humor wit.

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    Joey Marlin
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I follow Bladeofthesun and to contextualise their comment it's to do with all this rubbish being spouted by utter feckkwits about London having 'terribly dangerous no-go' areas. Their point is that the only real no-go areas are to do with high prices.

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    #55

    London double-decker bus in vibrant orange and purple colors, showcasing British humor in a city street scene.

    @mountbellyache Report

    Jan Rosier
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ever since Morrissey cancelled a show in Belgium on a festival where one of the culinary specialties is a kind of meat preparation (for which the town is famous) just because they did not want to cancel the selling of such meat specialty... well, let's say that cünt has lost all credibility for anything he does or says.

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    #56

    Tweet meme highlighting London life struggles with house sharing at 30, reflecting brilliant memes about London and British humor wit.

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    Grumpy old man
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Solitary Confinement by the Members. Look it up on ye olde yewtoob

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    #57

    Tweet from Great Londoner Memes highlighting the different experience between Westfield Shepherd’s Bush and Westfield Stratford.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Tucker Cahooter
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why the obsession in this thread with Westfield Stratford? Isn't it just a shopping centre?

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    #58

    Tweet discussing London transport costs highlighting British humor in brilliant memes about London.

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    Maggz Bennett
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But you have to spend more than £214 on health insurance for when you get shot.

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    #59

    Humorous London meme about daily struggles highlighting British humor and life in the city’s financial challenges.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    #60

    Tweet meme about London humor highlighting the wit of British humor and spending money on sunny days.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Teutonic Disaster
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All I'd want is get away from the hot pavement and concrete! Aren't the Brits like only an hour or 2 tops away from the beach no matter where they are? WTF?

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    #61

    Social media meme about London humor highlighting rent and living costs, showcasing British wit in London memes.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    Jan Rosier
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    again, Pret... what is that? In Dutch, it's a synonym for 'fun', but I suppose that's not what it means.

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    #62

    Meme from Great Londoner Memes about tube etiquette, showcasing British humor in London memes.

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    WubiDubi
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not at Greek Grandmothers getting on buses stage though, yet.

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    #63

    Tweet meme about Londoners praising the city humorously as temperature rises, showcasing British humor and London memes.

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    Tucker Cahooter
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Until it hits what temperature? 35? 30? 25? 20? 17?

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    #64

    Tweet showing a view of London's Tower Bridge and a hand holding an iced green matcha drink, highlighting London memes and British humor.

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    Owen
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On a lovely sunny day. Proper British weather.

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    #65

    Group of people standing under a Welcome to Leicester sign, mistaken train ride instead of London meme humor.

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    Panda On My Balcony
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How would you not notice when you started seeing fields of sheep and cows out of the train window?

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    #66

    Tweet about London humorously stating the city is affordable if you ignore food, travel, socializing, and rent costs in London memes.

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    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those are all just unnecessary luxuries, anyway.

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    #68

    Person lying down with a meme comparing UK cities to US cities, showcasing British humor about London and other places.

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    Lost Panda
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The fact that the one line about Texas is backwards from the rest of the format bothers me more than it should...

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    #69

    Tweet humorously questioning why London’s Clapham area needs five stations, highlighting British humor in memes.

    greatlondonermeme Report

    James016
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I recently watch a video about why Paddington station is how it is, basically 3 separate stations all called Paddington. It came down to "the Victorians did it and we are stuck with it"

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