The Texting Traits That Define Britain's Beloved Hun Culture
What connects television personalities like Gemma Collins, Jane McDonald, Alison Hammond, Cheryl Cole, and Fiona from The Traitors? Beyond their public profiles, they all serve as ambassadors for a uniquely British phenomenon: the Church of Hun. This cultural movement, celebrated by devoted followers across the UK, combines distinctive lifestyle elements with unmistakable communication patterns.
The Signature Kiss: A Hun's Texting Hallmark
No self-respecting hun would consider a text message complete without the customary kiss. According to George Oglethorpe, co-host of the popular podcast Not Being Funny, Babe, a hun "always has time for a big fat 'x' at the end of every sentence." He emphasises that this punctuation mark has become a British staple, essential for conveying both humour and charm.
Content creator and comedian Fizz Sinclair, widely recognised as an authority on hun culture, agrees that omitting the 'x' would be "sacrilegious" for any true hun. She explains that huns possess an intuitive understanding of when a kiss carries passive-aggressive undertones versus genuine affection. "Adding an 'x' to the end of a proper outrageous text equals 100000% funnier," Sinclair notes.
The most telling indicator of authentic hun status might be the accidental "xc" typo, which occurs when typing fingers inadvertently strike both the 'x' and adjacent 'c' keys. Oglethorpe defends this characteristic error, stating, "With long acrylic nails and a million handbags to consider, does it really matter if you text 'xc' instead of 'x'?" His co-host Ellena adds that huns prioritise expression over precision, expecting recipients to grasp their meaning regardless of spelling accuracy.
Pet Names and Punctuation Preferences
Beyond kisses, huns demonstrate distinctive linguistic habits in digital communication. They frequently bypass given names in favour of affectionate terms like "chick," "babe," "babes," "dallyn," "pet," or "lovely." This preference extends across various relationships, from workplace exchanges to personal conversations.
Punctuation also follows specific hun protocols. Sinclair advises against using full stops in texts, noting they "just feel a bit like you're tryna kick off." Instead, huns embrace fluid communication styles that prioritise humour and sarcasm over formal structure. The overall approach values lightheartedness and shared understanding above grammatical rigidity.
Defining Hun Characteristics and Community Values
While hun culture often associates with women in their fifties, membership extends to anyone who embodies its core values. Ellena describes the typical hun as someone who "loves a wine, a Wetherspoons, leopard print everything, wants a gossip with the girls and the gays while having cheeky cig...or 10." Importantly, this community maintains gender inclusivity, welcoming individuals of all identities.
Sinclair emphasises that hun status depends more on attitude than specific demographics. "There's loads of ways to be a hun, hun. It's kinda like that 'hun' it factor, you've either got it or ya don't," she observes. For those aspiring to join this cultural chapel, she offers a definitive starter kit of hun attributes:
- Leopard print and animal patterns
- Signature red lipstick
- Unfiltered, authentic attitude
- Daytime television appreciation
- "Live laugh love" philosophy
- British high street fashion loyalty
- 2000s UK cultural nostalgia
- Statement hoop earrings
- Fake tan appreciation
- EastEnders viewership
This combination of lifestyle preferences and communication styles creates a recognisable cultural identity that continues to thrive across British social circles. Whether through distinctive texting habits or shared aesthetic values, hun culture represents a vibrant aspect of contemporary UK social life that celebrates humour, community, and unapologetic self-expression.
