[wahern]

So are Brits good a coming up with nicknames, or are they simply more apt to build enormous buildings that look like common household items?

[Symbiote]

In order to get permission to build a large building in central London, it's necessary to have a distinctive, unique design. The city does not want to look like America.

Hence, the Gherkin, Cheesegrater, Can of Ham, Walkie Talkie, Shard, Helter-skelter.