Lecture 12: U.K. Sports, Festivals,
and Lifestyle
Jason Downs
British and American Culture
Popular Sports invented in the U.K.
Cricket
 Football (soccer)
 Rugby
 Golf
 Tennis
 Hockey
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Emergence of Sport and Leisure in
Britain
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Many of these sports became popular in the 19th century,
as the British middle classes expanded and people
began to have more “leisure time”
Sports like horse racing, hunting, and cricket were
dominant among the upper classes.
Sports like football became increasingly popular among
the male urban working class in the 19th century, while
women were more likely to participate in golf and tennis.
Today, sports continue to play an important role in the
British school system, as a way of instilling “morality”,
“good sportsmanship”, and “teamwork” among students.
Modern Popularity of Sports in U.K.
Sport
Association football
Rugby Union
Tennis
Cricket
Athletics
Snooker
Motor racing
Rugby League
Boxing
Golf
Darts
Swimming
Gym
Badminton
Squash
Watersport
Field Hockey
Lawn Bowls
TV Viewing Participating Interested In
46%
21%
18%
17%
18%
10%
13%
12%
11%
11%
9%
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
6.7%
0.78%
1.8%
0.8%
7.8%
0.1%
NA
0.2%
0.5%
2.5%
0.2%
9.4%
11%
1.8%
0.8%
0.03%
0.4%
0.6%
45%
25%
23%
20%
23%
11%
18%
15%
14%
16%
8%
NA
17%
NA
NA
NA
8%
NA
U.K. Holidays
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Christmas/Boxing Day
Easter (not an official holiday)
New Year’s Day, May Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2W3QR9WXdA
British Lifestyle

British humor
“stiff upper lip”
Social class differences
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Watch: “Keeping up Appearances (U.K. TV Show)”
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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I0R8BDwEJM