Glee and Sorrow at Brexit Vote in Just Five Words

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An employee holds British pounds and Euro banknotes in a bank at the main train station in Munich, Germany, after the U.K. voted to leave the European Union. Michaela Rehle/Reuters

As the world grapples with the consequences of the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union, "Remain" and "Leave" backers are both using Twitter to sum up their feelings on Brexit in just five words.

More than 20,000 tweets with the hashtag #BrexitInFiveWords had been written by Saturday afternoon, with some using the opportunity to chide the "Leave" voters for plunging the U.K. into an uncertain future while others rejoiced at the prospect of the end of European Union influence in the U.K.'s affairs.

#BrexitInFiveWords Stupid people voted en masse

— 🍕🏴‍☠️Blue Wisco🏴‍☠️🍕 (@Wisco) June 25, 2016

Happy Independence Day Great Britain #BrexitInFiveWords

— Dee 💯 🇺🇸 ☠️ (@Derameth) June 25, 2016

While there are no plans yet to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and inform the EU of plans to withdraw, the vote had immediate political implications within the UK. Prime Minister David Cameron, who largely provoked the Brexit referendum to quiet internal party squabbles, will resign, and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn may face an internal revolt by angry MPs. Meanwhile, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the nation, which voted to remain in the EU, will enter "immediate discussions" with the EU to protect its membership while many speculate another Scottish referendum vote could be scheduled, potentially splintering the U.K.

schoolboy rivalry ruins great country #BrexitInFiveWords pic.twitter.com/6XKjcwgExY

— Ahmed Rashid (@Dr_A_Rashid) June 25, 2016

it's not eu, it's me #BrexitInFiveWords

— 𝔞𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯 (@420judas) June 25, 2016

Both sides of the debate were using the #BrexitInFiveWords hashtag to continue the argument that paints "Leave" supporters as being motivated by bigotry and fear of foreigners while "Remain" supporters are tarred as foolish liberals who support a global world order.

“I am not racist, but...” #BrexitInFiveWords

— Yes, You're Racist (@YesYoureRacist) June 25, 2016

#BrexitInFiveWords Racists never think they're racist

— Fern Arable (@ksmms) June 25, 2016

#BrexitInFiveWords People vote independence, elitists panic.

— Razor (@hale_razor) June 25, 2016

Others gave credence to the "Remain" insults by using the opportunity to explicitly reject minorities and foreigners.

#BrexitInFiveWords
Syrian refugees MUST go home! pic.twitter.com/VuZzbwxR6M

— Beansiesdaddy (@Beansiesdaddy) June 25, 2016

Others still warned of the need for both sides to listen to each other.

American audiences got into the fray, as well, with some using the hashtag to celebrate what they see as a vote for sovereignty and a rebuke to President Obama, who warned British voters against leaving the EU.

#BrexitInFiveWords COMING to UNITED STATES SOON

— (((Rothenberg4Justice))) (@ReelRotation27) June 25, 2016

National identity is not racism. #BrexitInFiveWords

— NC Team Trump (@TeamTrumpNC) June 25, 2016

#BrexitInFiveWords If Obama disapproves, it's good

— Bryan R.. (@youthpastorbry) June 25, 2016

Amid calls for a second referendum and expressions of regret by some who voted "Leave," some using the #BrexitInFiveWords hashtag just wondered what comes next.

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