You might have seen Vuncle205’s videos on your social media in recent weeks
Vuncle205 (left) and his crew dressed as ‘grafters’ (Image: Vuncle205)
An American teen has gone viral online for embracing Scouse and UK culture in his TikTok videos. Vuncle205’s videos include paying his barber to give him a ‘Scouse trim’ and eating fish and chips while dressed in a Montirex set and Nike 110s.
On his social media accounts, which boast over 250k followers, Vuncle, from Alabama, calls himself an “American charva” and the “first American to ride a Sur-Ron, wear Montirex, pair of 95s, and have a Scouse trim”. The young man has taken inspiration from the style, slang and customs of Liverpool and the UK.
Speaking to the ECHO about what piqued his interest in British culture, he said: “There were these ‘charva’ memes which were really popular a couple of months ago, which originated in Bradford and everything. They were hilarious. I started doing the same thing – making jokes and talking in the UK slang.
“I’ve had a lot of people helping me decide what to get to become a real ‘charva’ – a real UK citizen. They told me to get Montirex, so I did, and then Montirex ended up sending me out some stuff. I’ve got Stone Island too.
“One of the big things that I got was the ‘Scouse trim’. I live streamed it and it got like 3000 active viewers which was just insane. I grew out the Scouse trim and people were like: ‘Vuncle, where’s the Scouse trim? You’ve got a ketwig now.’ I might have to get it again.”
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In a recent video, Vuncle tried fish and chips for the first time. In it, he says: “All f**kin’ reet mush, let’s try fish and chips for the first time. I got catfish and I got chips. [The server] asked if it was ‘fries’ and I was like, ‘What are fries bro?'”
After trying the fish with some tartare sauce, he said: “Bossman got me straight. I’m not gonna lie, this sh*t’s gas!” He called it “banging” and rated it “a solid six out of ten”.
However, many in the comments section weren’t happy with his meal, with one person stating: “UK fish and chips is unreal. That’s an oven job, that”. Another said it looked “nothing like English fish and chips”.
Vuncle told the ECHO: “I most definitely did not try the right type of fish and chips. I liked it but people in the comments were saying it wasn’t real fish and chips. They said I need to go to ‘bossman’ and he’ll get me straight with some proper fish and chips and some curry sauce or whatever.”
Fish and chips isn’t the only British classic that Vuncle has tried in recent months. In fact, he’d just made his first ever full English breakfast when he spoke to the ECHO. He described it as “the greatest thing ever,” adding: “I’m gonna have this every day for the rest of my life mate!”
He also explained how beans on toast has become a regular part of his diet: “I’ve had beans on toast. Beans on toast with some pepper on it? Oh my gosh – I was snackin’!
“I cook up some beans on toast when I’m hungry in the morning, with some eggs. It’s become a part of my routine. It’s something nice and quick which you can cook up in five minutes.”
Vuncle’s favourite thing about British culture is the music. He said: “Before doing all these TikToks, I’d been listening to a lot of EDM and house music – I love the passion the UK has for house music. It’s actually insane.”
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His favourite UK slang? Unfortunately it isn’t a Scouse word, but one more commonly heard in the south of the country. He said: “My favourite UK slang has to be ‘mush’. I’ll say it and people will tell me Scousers don’t say that, but come on dude – I’ve been saying it for such a long time and it’s just in my vocabulary. I catch myself just saying it with my friends and I’m like, ‘What is going on?’”
While some might not appreciate Vuncle perpetuating stereotypes, he says most people have reacted positively to his content. He added: “What I realised with content creation is that you get a lot of love – especially when you have good intentions. Obviously, you’re going to get some hate in there but I don’t really get phased by the hate.
“80-90% of people support me and think that I’m funny. It’s light-hearted and genuine, and I do this for the love of the game. I love making content and making other people smile.”