Here is a joke from Rhod Gilbert. Sheep jokes tend to only be funny when told by a Welsh person (or someone from New Zealand, I guess). The question is: when did the derogatory anti-Welsh insult begin?
The Arrival of Sheep in Wales
Sheep first arrived in Britain with Neolithic farmers around 6,000 years ago. These were smaller and different to the large, white-faced sheep we have today, however, as these ones arrived later with the Romans.
One of the biggest contributors to the Welsh economy is sheep farming. By 1660, sheep-farming accounted for two-thirds of Welsh exports. No doubt, sheep-farming being such a crucial aspect of our culture (and economy) and the number of sheep we have in Cymru are the driving force behind the certain unoriginal, racist remark often thrown at us.
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DIGITAL Welsh Histories Magazine – December 2025
Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.

