Today's Britain: dipso, fatso, bingo, asbo, Tesco

By Kate Kelland

LONDON (Reuters) - A motto for modern Britain in five words or fewer? How about "In America we trust" or "At least we're not French", or "Land of yobs and morons".

As Prime Minister Gordon Brown seeks to capture the public's imagination with a search for a national motto, cynicism and subversion are emerging as the most prominent national characteristics.

Readers of The Times have posted hundreds of suggestions on an Internet blog asking for a motto to sum up modern Britain.

For some, it is an opportunity to express pride and confidence:

"Great people, great country, Great Britain" is one suggestion, while others say "Courage, reason, humanity, democracy, monarchy" or "A country so brave and true" could serve as fitting mottos.

Some are wary of any sign of nationalism, warning: "Pride comes before a fall".

And others have grabbed the chance to have a dig at Brown and the Labour government.

"Taxation without Representation is Tyranny" is one of the more political suggestions, along with "Created by heroes, destroyed by Labour" or "Our government no longer listens".