Lads, chavs, and teabags: Growing up in the UK
From bedtime stories to GCSE flashbacks, this is the source of all that is wrong with me and my countrymen.
Side note: is there no teapot emoji?????
Side side note: open to suggestions especially from those older than Gen Z (unlike me) and my non-English UK inhabitants
created by SadieWhiteCoat
last updated June, 2026
Comments
Love this list idea lol. Are we looking for books that messed us up, specifically, or just those that raised us? Either way, I likely have quite a few to add from my childhood lol!
any/all suggestions of childhood reads are welcome
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging! The language in that series is so unique, it had a huge impact on me and my friends during school.
Also there are tea emojis 🫖☕ but maybe the emoji provider that PB uses doesn't have them
yes, I couldn’t find those emojis on the dongle. Epic suggestion though, major oversight on my part
Love the title 😂 George Orwell's 1984 for this list perhaps?
I don’t think 1984 tends to be a thing you read much in schools or are exposed to from a young age (at least in my experience)(still never read it) BUT you’ve just reminded me animal farm exists and that DEFINITELY is still hanging about my little sister was reading it in school last year 😭
When I was young (70's-80's kid) a lot of us were reading adult fiction, definitely including this one - especially since YA didn't exist. I can't remember if we ever did it in school, mind!
That's fair! I'm not from the UK but I've just heard people from all over mention that they had to read it in school ☺️
