The internet, with its fast-moving, meme-centric culture, has given rise to some of the most creative, bizarre, and influential trends in popular culture. One such trend is Waethicc, an odd yet humorous blend of the “Wae” meme and the internet slang term “thicc.” What started as a joke quickly grew into a viral sensation, combining elements of humor, body positivity, and online camaraderie.
This article explores the origins of Wae-thicc, its relevance in today’s digital age, its ties to body positivity, and how it reflects the humor and absurdity of meme culture. We’ll also address some common questions about Wae-thicc in the accompanying FAQ section.
What Is Waethicc?
Wae-thicc is an internet-born term combining two distinct memes: “Wae” and “thicc.” The term “Wae” comes from the Ugandan Knuckles meme, a character depicted as a poorly-rendered, comically squat version of Knuckles from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. The character asks, “Do you know de wae?” in a heavily exaggerated accent, spawning endless meme iterations in 2017. “Thicc,” on the other hand, is a piece of internet slang that originated around 2015, used to describe someone—usually a woman—who is curvy, often in a complimentary way
Wae-thicc emerged as a fusion of these two internet phenomena. Its humor comes from the contrast between the squat, cartoonish depiction of the Ugandan Knuckles character and the admiration for “thicc” body types. The term plays on this visual and conceptual mismatch, resulting in a meme that is both funny and often absurdly exaggerated
The Rise of Waethicc
Wae-thicc caught on because it hit several sweet spots of internet meme culture. First, it is rooted in visual humor, with its exaggerated portrayal of body types making it easy to share. Second, it’s a mashup of two well-known internet trends—both “Wae” and “thicc” already had their own followings before being combined. Third, it’s absurd enough to be funny, but also relatable, which makes it easy for people to engage with
Memes, by nature, are built on remixing existing ideas, and Wae-thicc’s success is a prime example of this. Its spread was helped along by social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit, where internet humor and community thrive. Creators made fan art, videos, and parody content, further amplifying its reach across the web
Humor, Absurdity, and the Appeal of Waethicc
Wae-thicc thrives in the absurdist humor realm. Like many memes, it relies on a certain level of “in-joke” humor that those familiar with meme culture will recognize. The blend of the visual joke with the Ugandan Knuckles figure and the language around body positivity creates a bizarre yet oddly engaging concept that resonates with internet users who enjoy surreal or nonsensical humor
Absurdity has long been a staple of internet culture, where memes often go viral because of their nonsensical nature. Wae-thicc taps into this by pushing the boundaries of logic, creating something that feels random yet hilarious.
Waethicc and Body Positivity
While Wae-thicc might seem like just another internet joke, it also touches on the growing cultural conversation around body image and body positivity. The term “thicc” has gained popularity in recent years as a celebration of fuller, curvier body types, often in contrast to the traditional thin ideals promoted by mainstream media. By integrating “thicc” into a meme, Wae-thicc inadvertently enters this discussion
Internet users have embraced “thicc” as a positive affirmation for curvier bodies, subverting beauty standards that prioritize slimness. While Wae-thicc primarily operates as a joke, it also reflects the broader trend of celebrating body diversity and pushing back against narrow definitions of beauty. In this way, it connects to the body positivity movement, albeit in a lighthearted and exaggerated manner
Meme Culture and the Viral Nature of Waethicc
The success of Waethicc is also a case study in how quickly internet culture can spread and evolve. Online communities are quick to latch onto trends, remix them, and push them into the broader digital landscape. Waethicc’s rise to prominence illustrates how even the most niche jokes can snowball into viral sensations
What’s notable about Waethicc, like many internet memes, is its impermanence. While it is currently a popular meme, the constantly shifting nature of online culture means that it could fade into obscurity as quickly as it appeared. This constant churn of memes, jokes, and trends is characteristic of the internet’s fast-moving ecosystem, where attention shifts rapidly from one viral moment to the next
The Role of Influencers and Brands
Even brands have caught on to the Waethicc trend. In the fast-paced world of social media marketing, companies often try to capitalize on trending memes to stay relevant, particularly to younger audiences. By using terms like Waethicc in social media posts or advertising, brands hope to engage with internet-savvy consumers. However, this strategy can be a double-edged sword, as poorly executed attempts can come across as inauthentic or cringeworthy
Social media influencers also play a role in amplifying the meme, using it to describe everything from food to fashion to pets. This continued use by influencers helps keep Waethicc in circulation, allowing it to remain part of the online conversation
The Future of Waethicc
Like many memes, Waethicc may eventually fall out of favor as newer trends take its place. Internet culture is notoriously fickle, and what is popular today might be forgotten tomorrow. However, its place in meme history is secured as an example of the internet’s ability to remix cultural concepts into something both humorous and thought-provoking
FAQs About Waethicc
1. What does Waethicc mean?
Waethicc is a playful term combining the “Wae” meme and the slang word “thicc,” which is used to describe curvier body types. It is primarily a joke that gained popularity through its humorous exaggeration of body diversity
2. Where did Waethicc originate?
Waethicc originated from a fusion of two viral internet trends: the “Wae” meme (derived from Ugandan Knuckles) and “thicc” (a term celebrating curvier body shapes). Its popularity grew thanks to online communities sharing the meme on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram
3. Is Waethicc part of the body positivity movement?
While Waethicc is largely a humorous meme, it does connect to broader discussions about body positivity. The use of “thicc” celebrates curvier body types, and Waethicc inadvertently contributes to the movement by normalizing and celebrating body diversity
4. How do you use Waethicc in conversation?
Waethicc can be used humorously to describe anything that is notably curvy or thick. For example, you might say, “That pizza is waethicc!” to describe a pizza loaded with toppings, or use it to joke about a particularly fluffy cat
5. Why did Waethicc go viral?
Waethicc went viral due to its blend of visual humor, absurdity, and relatability. Its mashup of two popular internet trends made it easy to share, and its over-the-top depictions resonated with users who enjoy surreal, nonsensical humor
6. Will Waethicc stick around?
It’s hard to predict the longevity of internet memes, and Waethicc could fade as quickly as it rose to popularity. However, it has left a mark on meme culture and may resurface in new forms as internet humor continues to evolve
In conclusion, Waethicc represents the intersection of humor, internet culture, and body positivity. While it may seem like a fleeting joke, its underlying message of celebrating body diversity and pushing against traditional beauty standards gives it a layer of social relevance. As with all internet trends, Waethicc’s future is uncertain, but for now, it stands as a testament to the creativity and absurdity of online culture.
