What is the origin of “Keep Calm and Carry On”?
Interesting how such a simple and almost obscure saying has been so widely embraced by the tea industry. Every wonder why? I did. So, I went snooping. “Inquiring minds want to know.”
Cherishing a Sense of Wonder and Research
As I joke with my millennial children – whom have never had to wonder about anything because of all the devices they’ve owned since birth, granting them access to the entire world – I am from the generation who had to wonder about things enough to take a trip to the library. The thrill of the search through history.
The Time-Honored Tradition of Wearing a Tea Cozy as a Hat
While wearing a tea cozy I purchased in London – yes, on my head, one which bore the saying, “KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON,” one of my senior tea sippers shared her knowledge of this saying. Then my interest was truly piqued!
Although she was not entirely correct with her version, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about this saying that is embraced by the tea industry, and just about everyone else you can imagine – or not imagine.
“Keep Calm & Carry On” Videos
Of course, it makes sense that we use this British saying on our tea-related products because of the love for tea that comes from Britain.
Yes, there are also many variations of this saying. I’d be most curious to learn of some of these variations you all may have come across. Care to share any? Let’s all just keep our calm and keep carrying on with our love for tea. The world needs this.
I’ve seen: KEEP CALM AND MAKE TEA, KEEP CALM AND PRAY, KEEP CALM AND TRUST GOD, KEEP CALM IT’S FRIDAY, oh yes, there are many more out there! Recurring theme? KEEP CALM!
This article has been updated from the original June 24, 2014 publication.
Thanks for sharing this snap of history. I love the video. Even all those years ago, people understood how important it was to “keep calm”. Today we’re embracing mindfulness meditation among other ancient methods of calming our body, mind and spirit. Interesting that tea was enjoyed by those early monks during their meditation to help achieve a sense of calm…….perhaps things haven’t really changed so much after all.
Yes, Michelle isn’t that true! What the monks knew thousands of years ago — and what we pay scientists millions of dollars a year to prove — that tea calms you — we are still demanding proof.
Remaining calm in every situation allows you to handle it with a much better mind and mindset.
KEEP CALM — will always hold true no matter what you put behind it!
So, KEEP CALM AND KEEP SIPPING!
A funny one: “Keep Calm and Bergeron” – to help Patrice Bergeron and the Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup. Yes, you can buy t-shirts!
Thanks for explaining that, Annelise. I’m not as ‘up’ on hockey as I used to be. But it does seem to me that it didn’t really help them win the Stanley Cup though, too bad!
It was a cute play on words!
And, so nice to have finally met you in person at The World Tea Expo! Continued success, my dear!
Keep Cozy!