"The only thing I take seriously in the newspapers…

Fish and chips in the United Kingdom used to be served wrapped in a newspaper page, although this practice has mostly ended. The fish and chips were literally “in” a newspaper, but were not “in” the newspaper in the form of informational content. Of course, there are newspaper jokes.

“The only thing I take seriously in the newspapers nowadays is Fish and Chips. And even that I take with a pinch of salt” was posted on Facebook by Iain McGowan on May 1, 2021. “I only trust one thing in the newspaper these days: Fish & Chips. And even that I take with a big pinch of salt” was posted on Sickipedia on October 14, 2025.

“To take something with a pinch of salt” is an additional pun. Salt is often used on the chips (french fries). To take something with “a grain of salt” or “a pinch of salt” is an expression that means to view something with skepticism—such as, in this case, the stories in the newspaper.

“The chip shop I go to still serves fish and chips in a newspaper. Yesterday, I got a plaice in The Sun” is another fish and chips joke.

Wikipedia: Fish and chips
Fish and chips is a hot dish consisting of battered and fried fish, served with chips. Often considered the national dish of the United Kingdom, fish and chips originated in England in the 19th century. Today, the dish is a common takeaway food in numerous other countries, particularly English-speaking and Commonwealth nations.
(...)
British fish and chips were originally served in a wrapping of old newspapers but this practice has now largely ceased, with plain paper, cardboard, or plastic being used instead.

Wikipedia: A grain of salt
To take something with a “grain of salt” or “pinch of salt” is an English idiom that suggests to view something, specifically claims that may be misleading or unverified, with skepticism or not to interpret something literally.

Facebook
Iain McGowan
May 1, 2021 at 12:32 PM
The only thing I take seriously in the newspapers nowadays is Fish and Chips.
And even that I take with a pinch of salt.

Reddit—Jokes
motty666—June 19, 2022
Seriously
The only thing I take seriously in the newspapers nowadays is fish and chips, and even that I take with a pinch of salt

Reddit—Jokes
ubreakitifixit—July 18, 2022
fish and chips jokes
I don’t take anything serious in the newspaper, except for fish and chips.
And even that I take with a pinch of salt.

Facebook
Mary Mills
October 26, 2022 at 8:07 AM ·
Thought 4 today!!the only thing i take seriously in the newspapers now ?is fish @chips !!and even that i take with a PINCH of SALT🙈♥️👁👁

X/Twitter
Gemma
@Gemma90917101
The only thing I take seriously in the newspapers nowadays is Fish and Chips.
And even that I take with a pinch of salt.
1:20 PM · Jan 17, 2023

Facebook
New Zealand Food & Drink
November 2, 2023 at 4:13 PM ·
The only thing that can be taken seriously in a newspaper these days. Friday night fish and chips and even then, best taken with a pinch of salt 🧂

Bluesky
Dgar
‪@dgar.bsky.social‬
The only thing I take seriously in the newspapers nowadays is Fish and Chips.
And even that I take with a pinch of salt.
June 17, 2024 at 4:21 AM

Reddit—Dadjokes
EndersGame_Reviewer—November 25, 2024
I only thing I take seriously in the newspapers is fish and chips.
Even that I take with a pinch of salt.

Facebook
Tim Vine Joke Appreciation Group
Nigel Bell ·
February 11, 2025 at 8:08 AM ·
The only thing I take seriously in newspapers these days is Fish and Chips. I even take that with a pinch of salt! x

iFunny
realboomer
21 jun 2025
The only thing I take seriously in the newspapers nowadays is Fish and Chips. And even that I take with a pinch of salt.

X/Twitter
😊
@PontistGirl
The only thing I take seriously in the newspapers nowadays is
Fish and chips, and even that I take with a pinch of salt.
12:14 PM · Sep 12, 2025

Sickipedia
innit
October 14, 2025 -Other-Wordplay
I only trust one thing in the newspaper these days:
Fish & Chips.
And even that I take with a big pinch of salt.

X/Twitter
Tame Gazelle
@TameGazelle
I only trust one thing in the newspaper these days:
Fish & Chips.
And even that I take with a big pinch of salt.
7:24 AM · Oct 14, 2025

X/Twitter
Bob Kostic
@causticbob
I only trust one thing in the newspaper these days:
Fish & Chips.
And even that I take with a big pinch of salt.
5:27 PM · Oct 14, 2025

X/Twitter
@devonboy3410 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧
@devonboy3410
I only trust one thing in the newspaper these days: Fish & Chips, and even that I take with a big pinch of salt.
8:01 PM · Oct 14, 2025