In the wake of the London Bridge attack, American media organisations described the city as ‘under siege’ in a country still ‘reeling’ from the Manchester attack in May.
But for many in the UK, the American coverage struck a discordant note with citizens keen to show defiance and a stiff upper lip.
“As a British person living in America, I feel compelled to address a certain theme that emerged through American coverage of this tragedy,” comedian John Oliver said on his show 'Last Week Tonight'.
“For the record, in no way is Britain under siege. Is it upset? Yes. Is it pissed off? Oh you f**king bet it’s pissed off.
“But to say it’s ‘under siege’ or it’s people are ‘reeling’ is to imply that it’s somehow weak enough to be brought to its knees by three monumental assholes – and that, as an idea, is insulting.”
The mood was captured in the hashtag #ThingsThatLeaveBritainReeling.
Using the tag, Twitter users have mocked American media coverage with things which actually leave Britain reeling – with tea at the front line.
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