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The What Meme Template Origin

The 'What' meme template originated from a viral clip of an interview with American comedian and actor 'Danielle Ward' on the podcast 'The Adam Carolla Show' in 2010. In the clip, Ward's confused expression and bewildered 'What?' response became a relatable representation of disbelief or confusion, leading to its adaptation into a meme format. The meme gained widespread attention on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, where users began overlaying their own text onto the image, typically to express confusion or surprise about various situations. The template's virality is attributed to its universal appeal, as people often encounter moments that leave them dumbfounded. Additionally, the format's simplicity and versatility make it easy for users to create their own versions, contributing to its continued popularity.

The What Meme Template Description

The 'What' meme template communicates a sense of confusion or disbelief in response to an unexpected or absurd situation. It captures a moment of being taken aback or flabbergasted, making it relatable for anyone who has experienced moments of shock or bewilderment. The bewildered facial expression and the simple, yet impactful, phrasing of 'What?' serve as a universal reaction to scenarios that defy understanding or logic. Users often overlay text that reflects their own feelings of surprise or incredulity, using the format to convey a wide range of reactions to unexpected news, bizarre occurrences, or misunderstandings, thereby highlighting the shared human experience of grappling with the absurd.

Example The What Meme Usage

Some common scenarios for which this meme would be appropriate:

  • When your colleague suggests that we should replace all meetings with email updates to save time.
  • Finding out that the office printer has been broken for a month, and nobody bothered to inform the team.
  • After being told that the company will now require employees to work on weekends without extra pay.