“Why He Ourple?” is a whimsical phrase that took the internet by storm in late 2021 and early 2022. This seemingly nonsensical question, built upon a deliberate misspelling of “purple,” became a viral catchphrase, particularly within skamtebord-style memes. Often accompanied by the ubiquitous crying laughing emoji 😂, “Why He Ourple?” is used to playfully question the purpleness of various characters and figures in online content. Let’s dive into the origins, spread, and delightful absurdity of this internet phenomenon.
The Genesis of “Ourple”: A TikTok Comment
The meme’s journey began on TikTok, on September 11th, 2021. TikTok user @user6785558212 posted a video featuring a cat with peculiar purple spots.
Amidst the comments, user @.aatidya.r posed the now-iconic question: “And why he ourple?” followed by the crying laughing emoji. This simple, misspelled query captured the internet’s attention when Twitter user @wlfdog04 highlighted it in a tweet on the same day. This tweet, showcasing a screenshot of the TikTok comment and video, rapidly gained traction, amassing over 7,900 retweets and 97,000 likes in approximately four months. This marked the initial spark for the “Why He Ourple?” meme to ignite and spread across the web.
From TikTok to Memes: The Spread of “Ourple”
Following the initial viral tweet, “Why He Ourple?” began its ascent into meme culture. Early instances include an iFunny post by user Trodden on September 13th, 2021, featuring a White Egyptian meme incorporating the phrase.
However, the meme truly took off when it intertwined with jokes surrounding Michael Afton, the protagonist of the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise. On November 14th, 2021, Twitter user NxtDeterio tweeted the original “ourple” comment, this time captioning it with a humorous scenario involving Afton. This tweet resonated widely, garnering over 2,400 retweets and 12,000 likes within two months, demonstrating the meme’s growing appeal.
This tweet further inspired visual representations. On January 2nd, 2022, iFunny user HeyKaminari posted an image depicting Afton walking down a street, with a neighbor uttering “And why he ourple?”. This was followed by an exploitable version by iFunny user grunkle on January 19th, replacing Afton with Jotaro Kujo from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, showcasing the meme’s adaptability and expanding reach.
Related “Ourple” Fun: “And Why He Eepy?”
The “ourple” misspelling paved the way for related humorous phrases. One notable example is “And Why He Eepy?”. This meme, playing on the misspelling of “sleepy,” emerged in late 2021. It typically features images of sleepy-looking animals or characters accompanied by the caption “And Why He Eepy?”. This meme directly references the “Why He Ourple?” format, extending the playful misspelling trend.
“Ourple” in the Wild: Meme Examples
The “Why He Ourple?” meme’s versatility is evident in its diverse applications. It’s used across various online platforms and paired with a wide array of purple characters and objects.
The Enduring Appeal of “Ourple”
“Why He Ourple?” taps into the internet’s love for playful misspellings, absurd humor, and relatable questions. Its simplicity and adaptability have allowed it to flourish across diverse online communities. While the meme’s peak virality might have passed, “Why He Ourple?” remains a recognizable and humorous example of internet meme culture, readily understood and appreciated by those familiar with its quirky origins.
External References
[1] Twitter – @wlfdog04
[2] iFunny – Trodden
[3] Twitter – @nxtdeterio
[4] iFunny – Michael Afton
[5] iFunny – Jojo edit
