London(CNN) Not everyone in Britain, it is safe to say, welcomes the intervention of an American president in what's viewed as the internal politics of the United Kingdom.
In a visit to London, President Barack Obama has argued in an opinion piece that Britons should vote to stay in the European Union rather than pull out. The UK has scheduled a nationwide vote on the issue for June 23.
And some Britons have reacted to Obama's advice in what they see as an internal British matter in a way that echoes the words of the American author Ring Lardner: " 'Shut up,' he explained."
London Mayor Boris Johnson, writing for The Sun newspaper, implied that Obama was a hypocrite because Washington would never surrender so much power to Brussels, the EU's de-facto capital.
And he suggested that "the part-Kenyan President" had an "ancestral dislike of the British empire."
'How'd ya like them apples?!'
Neither was everyone on social media impressed with what they viewed as Obama's butinsky attitude.
Take for example, this tweet from @shedboy63, who identifies himself or herself as Desailly's Child: "Obama sticking his hooter in the #Brexit debate. Well I suggest the USA become part of the United Kingdom again! How'd ya like them apples?!"
Brexit is shorthand for the British exit from the EU.
In his piece published in The Daily Telegraph, Obama evokes the Americans who died defending Britain in World War II and argues that Britain's decision on whether to stay in the EU affects the rest of the world.
Britain's EU vote matters to America
Even supporters resent 'pat on the head'
Obama argues that Britain will amplify rather than diminish its global influence by remaining a member of the EU.
Obama visits Saudi Arabia, UK and Germany
From left, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, U.S. President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande sit together at Herrenhausen Palace in Hanover, Germany, on Monday, April 25. Germany was the third stop on Obama's recent trip, which also included the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
Obama and Merkel look at a robotic device April 25 as they tour the Hannover Messe, the world's largest trade fair for industrial technology.
Obama tests virtual reality goggles at the Hannover Messe on April 25.
Obama and Merkel look at a gripping device at the Hannover Messe on April 25.
From left, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Obama and Merkel attend the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe on Sunday, April 24.
Obama and Merkel hold a news conference after bilateral talks at Herrenhausen Palace on April 24.
Merkel welcomes Obama at Herrenhausen Palace on April 24.
Obama speaks at a news conference in London on Saturday, April 23.
British Prime Minister David Cameron and Obama play golf at the Grove Golf Club on April 23.
Obama takes a brief tour of the Globe Theatre in London with Patrick Spottiswoode, director of Globe Education, marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare on April 23.
Obama, Prince William and first lady Michelle Obama talk with Prince George at Kensington Palace on Friday, April 22.
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, greet Obama outside Windsor Castle on Friday, April 22.
A motorcade drives the Obamas to Windsor Castle for lunch with Queen Elizabeth II on April 22.
Before Britain, Obama met with Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Fahad Mahmoud Al Said, left, and Saudi King Salman at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit, which took place Thursday, April 21, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Obama spoke with Gulf leaders about regional conflicts, the role of Iran and the fight against ISIS.
Obama confers with other leaders at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit on April 21.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have been divided over a slew of issues, including the approach to the wars in Syria and Yemen, the Iranian nuclear deal and the influence Tehran wields in Iraq. Here, Obama appears with Saudi King Salman, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the Riyadh summit on April 21.
Obama and Saudi King Salman meet at Erga Palace in Riyadh on Wednesday, April 20. The White House moved to tamp down suggestions that ties with Saudi Arabia are fraying, with administration officials saying the two leaders "really cleared the air" in their meeting.
Obama arrives on Air Force One at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on April 20. Saudi King Salman did not greet the President on his arrival. The perceived slight was seen as one more sign that the U.S.-Saudi relationship is encountering friction.
Not everyone resented his advice. People interviewed in London by CNN on Friday generally said the President was entitled to state his viewpoint.
"He's welcome to an opinion," one man said. "But I think if you look closer to your own borders you've got bigger things to worry about than us staying in Europe -- you've got a few crazies running for your presidency. So we'll deal with our problems, you deal with yours, and we'll thrash it out in the end."
And a Twitter user named Peter Coles, otherwise known as @telescoper, said the President was right to make his case.
"Obama's intervention is fully justified by history & economics," Coles tweeted. "Abusive reactions on the #BrExit campaign reveal their ignorance of both."
But even some people who agreed with the President thought he would have been better off keeping his trap shut.
"Whilst I think we are better off staying in the EU," tweeted Jack Duncan, or @JD_Duncan, "I resent this patronising pat on the head from Obama. P*** off! Could back fire #Brexit"