We are possibly facing one of the most peculiar phobias and disorders known . Anglophobia is a totally irrational and passionate feeling of hatred towards anything to do with English culture, specifically England. It should not be confused with Anglo-Saxon.

Some phenomena could explain, in broad terms, why the tendency to Anglophobia is on the rise. Sociologists who are experts in anthropology point out this rejection due to the constant imposition of the English language to develop in the academic world, in the world of work and, therefore, the tourism that the English project wherever they go.

What is Anglophobia?

The etymology of the word comes from the Latin “Anglus”, which means English, and “Phobos”, derived from the Greek meaning of fear . It has been classified as a pathology because Anglophobia does not respond to any specific criticism or structural characteristic, but because it is a generalized criticism against everything that has to do with the English.

On the other hand, Anglophobia has its origins in the past history of the English Empire, which came to dominate half the globe, colonized resource-rich countries, wiped out the local population and imposed its culture on the new generations. All this contributes to a better understanding of this phenomenon.

Top 5 countries with most Anglophobia

In order to better understand the complexity of this pathology, we will use a classification of countries that have deep-rooted Anglophobia. You will be surprised in which places the English are systematically feared .

1. Australia

The oceanic country is home to one of the most prominent Anglophobias in the entire list . Even if they speak English, drive on the right and share cultural habits, we must remember that Australia served as a prison and exile for the British Empire during the 18th century. This meant the definitive replacement of the Australian aborigines by European citizens.

In addition, there is a popular expression in Australia that is derogatory to the English immigrant: “whingeing pom”, which means “English whiner”. Let us also remember that since the country was founded, it has depended, indirectly, on England on a political and economic level.

2. United States of America

Another Anglo-Saxon country and direct descendant of the English. Although it seems that there is good harmony on a political, economic and cultural level, the truth is that there are many misgivings among Americans towards the English . In fact, the first person to pronounce the word “Anglophobia” was one of the country’s founders, Thomas Jefferson.

3. Ireland

The Irish case is more obvious . The British Empire occupied this small island for over seven centuries, politically and culturally subduing the Irish nation. Once the country was decolonised, during the end of the 20th century the conflict between the English and the Irish was revived, above all because of religious issues (Catholics against Protestants), which led to the creation of the I.R.A. (Irish Republic Army).

The demands of Celtic culture, language and independence against England continue to be the subject of demonstrations and commemorative performances by the most nationalistic sectors. The latest political tension was caused by the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 2011, where there were public altercations and a notorious rejection of her presence on Irish soil.

4. Argentina

The Argentine case is one of the latest and most recent as far as Anglophobia is concerned . Basically, the tensions between England and the Latin American country date back to the historical dispute between the two nations over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). The last direct conflict between both countries took place in 1982, when Argentina tried to recover the islands and they were defeated.

The social frustration after the Falklands War was notorious, as well as difficult to manage. It wasn’t until the 1986 World Cup soccer championship that Argentines redeemed the humiliation. In a confrontation with the English team, the star Diego Armando Maradona gave the Albiceleste the victory of honour, with a goal in extremis with his hand, which would go down in history as the goal of “the hand of God”.

5. Spain

The Spanish case is quite peculiar. Of all the countries that suffer from Anglophobia, Spain is perhaps the least, although the undesirable tourist practice by the English , makes this trend on the rise. Nevertheless, political and social relations between Spain and England have been a real rollercoaster.

At the height of the Spanish Empire, which had overtaken the British Empire in the conquest of America, the former inflicted humiliating defeats on it for almost two centuries. One of the most important battles was the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in 1741 (Cartagena, Colombia today). The English, superior in number of troops and frigates, had an easy victory in mind. On the contrary. Without hardly noticing it, they found their “Invincible Armada” sinking and three quarters of their army being killed.

Historical facts aside, the current Anglophobia in Spain is due to the tourist “invasion” that the English have made in the Iberian Peninsula, especially in the coastal areas, southern Andalusia and its coasts, as well as the Balearic Islands or the Catalan Costa Brava. Neighbors and public administrations have been denouncing for two decades a dirty behavior on the part of the English tourist, such as drunkenness, sexual tourism and destruction of public furniture.