A poll of 2,000 adults found that while Brits love to moan about their dads’ cringey behaviour, three quarters wouldn’t choose to change them if they could
The nation’s favourite ‘Dadisms’ have been unveiled, with classics such as feigning sleep by “resting their eyes”, repeating the same tales, and of course, dad dancing topping the list. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that despite Brits often grumbling about their dads’ embarrassing antics, a whopping three quarters wouldn’t change them.
Other beloved Dadisms encompass DIY around the house, cracking cheesy jokes, and claiming a particular chair that no one else is permitted to occupy. Napping on the sofa, uttering phrases like ‘back in my day…’ or ‘when I was your age…’, and moaning about the price of things also received honourable mentions.
Despite these classic Dadisms, an impressive 76% professed they aren’t embarrassed by this behaviour, choosing instead to indulge their fathers – with 62% likely to chuckle at their jokes, regardless of their humour value.
This acceptance might be due to the fact that 85% admit to indulging in Dadisms themselves – with the most prevalent being complaining about the cost of things (28%), dozing off on the sofa (25%), and using the thumbs up emoji (17%).
A spokesperson from Moonpig, which commissioned the research, said: “They seem to have so many universal behaviours, as if they’ve been given a manual on what makes a dad a dad. This Father’s Day we want to celebrate all father figures and the little quirks that make us love them so much.”
The other ingredients that make up a classic father figure were also revealed, with top traits identified as hardworking, caring, supportive, and reliable. Dad-centric hobbies included watching football, gardening, and DIY – as well as travelling, reading, and going to the pub with his mates.
According to data from OnePoll.com, the most cherished possessions of any paternal figure are likely to be his car, toolbox, and family photographs. Interestingly, more respondents found their fathers unintentionally funny than intentionally hilarious.
To honour the father figures in their lives, 73% celebrate Father’s Day annually and to mark this day, they are most likely to buy him a gift, a card, and go out for a meal.
The top factors influencing the selection of the perfect card were identified as humour, a fun and personal design, and a sentimental message about how great he is.
Interestingly, over half claimed they are more likely to buy a humorous card to celebrate their dad on Father’s Day than their mum on Mother’s Day, perhaps because 73% hope to see their favourite Dadisms referenced on the cover.
The spokesperson added: “Our father figures can be such a source of inspiration, support, and laughter – which is why it’s so important to celebrate them every chance we get.
“A heartfelt message, inside joke, or personalised reference to the things they love on their Father’s Day card can make all the difference to letting them know how much you care.
“So this Father’s Day, take a moment to revel in those eye-roll-worthy Dadisms and the little things that make your bond so special – and say it all with a card that’s as unique as he is.”
TOP 30 FAVOURITE ‘DADISMS’:
- Fixing things around the house
- Pretending they’re not sleeping just “resting their eyes”
- Falling asleep on the sofa
- Telling bad/corny jokes
- Saying ‘back in my day…’ or ‘when I was your age…’
- Telling the same story multiple times
- Having a favourite chair that no one else is allowed to sit in
- Dad dancing
- Complaining about the cost of things
- Complaining about what you’re watching on TV but then sitting down to watch it anyway
- Starting conversations with strangers
- Sending the thumbs up emoji
- Doing a dad grunt when sitting down or standing up
- Always coming round to your house with a toolbox
- Giving unsolicited advice
- Making jokes to waiters
- Cleaning his car for fun
- Always ordering the same meal at a restaurant
- Wearing socks with sandals
- Having questionable dress sense
- Doing the head-nod greeting to strangers
- Tinkering with something that isn’t broken
- Being obsessed with the water/electricity meter
- Not using emojis properly
- Talking through a film you’re trying to watch
- Claiming to be great at BBQ-ing
- Calling you by your sibling’s name
- Having a ‘usual’ in the pub
- Taking atrocious selfies
- Farting a lot
