Amidst immigration riots, Operation Raise the Colours, and Reform UK gaining traction in the polls, it’s apparently easy to forget that we are quite literally a country built on the backs of immigrants.
England spent the best part of 1,000 years invading practically every country on the planet, nabbing the things we loved and appropriating them into our own culture. We’ve been the bad guys throughout much of history, from having a starring role in the transatlantic slave trade to introducing opium into China to get better prices for goods.
As flag-sh**ging “patriots” take to the streets to protest, they might first consider doing a quick Google search. The UK isn’t the beacon of modern civilisation we think it is; in fact, half of the things we claim to be British are just as foreign as the refugees seeking asylum on our very gloomy shores.
8. Tea is iconic in the UK, but it’s not from here
Credit: Drew Taylor/Unsplash
“Fancy a cuppa?” is one of the most quintessentially British phrases, but even our most notable iconography is imported from somewhere else. In reality, tea originated in China and did not come to England until the 1650s.
Despite its foreign origins, we British loved tea so much that we started a war for it. During the 19th century, when Chinese exports such as silk, tea, and porcelain were in high demand, England found its silver reserves in dramatic decline because Chinese authorities wanted nothing of ours in trade. To fix this issue, we helped to introduce opium to the country. By selling the opium and subsequently starting a widespread drug addiction issue, the British were able to pocket the silver to pay for tea.
7. Fish and chips are kinda British, but not really
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Though what we know as British fish and chips is definitely from our little island, the idea of battered fish actually originated in the Mediterranean. It was brought to the UK by Jewish settlers in the 16th century, though at the time it was called pescado frito.
6. But pubs are British… right?
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Next time you pop to the local for a pint and a packet of crisps, you’ve got the Romans to thank! They brought the idea of pubs to the UK in 43 AD alongside other developments such as roads, sewage systems, and heated buildings.
5. Saint George
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This is why Operation Raise the Colours is so laughable, because while the Saint George’s Cross became the English flag during the late Middle Ages, its namesake NEVER stepped foot in England. It’s believed he was actually born in Cappadocia or Syria, making him Turkish by modern standards.
But keep going, guys, we’re not all collectively laughing at the fact you can’t use Google.
4. Mince Pies are also from the Middle East
Credit: Unsplash/Jonathan Farber
We might enjoy them at Christmas, but the concept of Mince Pies was invented by people in the Middle East, where combining fruit and spices is common. They made their way over here in the 13th century, when crusaders returned home.
3. The Royal Family
Credit: Unsplash/Hulki Okan Tabak
In 2025, the role of the British Royal Family is largely symbolic, but if we trace the lineage back, the House of Windsor came from the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in Germany.
2. Werther’s Original
Credit: Werther’s
The delectable sweet treats are be a staple in practically every pensioner’s house, but the original recipe and flavour combination is actually from North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Sorry, nan.
1. Ketchup
Credit: Erik Mclean
Brits and Americans are constantly beefin over who invented tomato ketchup, but we’re both wrong, because it was actually from China. Originally, British sailors fell in love with the condiment when it was made from fermented fish sauce.
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