What’s Irony?
I’m no flag waving patriot but I’m proud of some things British, not least our sense of humour, which is maybe at its best when our backs are to the wall. One of my favourite examples comes from 1940, when France, our last remaining ally in Europe had fallen and the shattered remnants of the British Army had fled from Dunkirk, leaving its weapons on the beaches. As a stunned and practically defenceless Britain was waiting for what seemed to be inevitable Nazi invasion (and almost certain annihilation) the doorman at one of the Armed Services clubs was heard to console a downcast member by saying: "Anyhow, sir, at least we're in the final, and it is to be played on the home ground." Now that’s irony.
