Breaking Down the Viral 'This MF Eating Beans' Meme

The Hilarious Meme About Someone Eating Beans

A silly screenshot of a character from an obscure video game eating beans has become one of the internet's most popular and enduring memes. The absurd "This mf eating beans" meme has spawned endless funny iterations and jokes across social media.

In this article, we'll break down the origins of the "this mf eating beans" meme, examine why it went so viral, and highlight some of the funniest bean-eating posts and remixes. Whether you find the meme hilarious or don't quite get it, read on to finally understand the whole beans phenomenon.

Origins of the Meme

The meme began with a screenshot from the 1992 Sega Genesis video game Sonic the Hedgehog 2. In the image, Sonic's companion Miles "Tails" Prower is sitting on the ground eating beans from a bowl with a spoon.

In the actual game, Tails is not really eating beans. The item in the bowl is supposed to be a bomb. But the simple graphics make it look more like beans or some other food.

In 2014, a Tumblr user posted the screenshot with the caption "This mf eating beans!" The absurd caption paired with the vague grainy image of Tails apparently eating beans resonated as funny with other internet users.

Why "This MF Eating Beans" Went Viral

There are a few factors that help explain why this meme took off so widely:

• The sheer randomness and nonsense of labeling the image as "eating beans."
• The use of vernacular like "this mf" gives the meme a humorous voice.
• The low-quality graphics make it delightfully ambiguous.
• It allows people to participate by adding their own captions.
• The character's serious expression while eating beans is amusing.

On a basic level, there's an inherent comedy in declaring such a serious-looking character is intently eating beans. The meme's absurdity, mystery, and participatory nature make it endlessly remixable for different jokes.

Evolution of the Meme Over Time

Since its start on Tumblr, the "this mf eating beans" meme has evolved and spread across platforms:

• It gained traction on Twitter with joke captions like "this mf eating beans in the movie theater."
• Instagram users added bean-eating captions to unrelated photos.
• YouTube comps and remixes added dramatic music and reactions.
• Variations featured different characters with beans, not just Tails.

As it has spread, the meme has shifted from straightforward captions to more elaborate and ironic jokes playing off the absurdity of the premise.

Funniest "This MF Eating Beans" Memes

Here is a look at some of the most hilarious iterations and remixes of the viral "this mf eating beans" meme:

"This MF Eating Beans" Song Remixes

Many musical remixes and edits have been created based around Tails eating beans, with songs like:

• "This MF Eating Beans in the Club"
• "This MF Eating Beans While I'm Driving"
• "This MF Eating Beans at the Olympics"

Pairing the meme with dramatic beats and lyrics creates an over-the-top comedic effect.

"This MF Eating Beans" in Classic Art

Editing the meme into classic fine art paintings and photographs has also been popular. Some examples:

• The Last Supper painting with Jesus captioned "This mf eating beans"
• American Gothic painting eating beans in their farmhouse
• Famous Einstein photo eating beans instead of the famous tongue photo

Seeing such serious classic images subverted with the silly beans meme adds to the humor and absurdity.

Celebrities and Fictional Characters Eating Beans

Images of celebrities and fictional characters eating beans also went viral, including:

• Snoopy from Peanuts captioned "This mf eating beans"
• Grumpy Cat sitting with bowl of beans
• Dramatic movie scenes like Heath Ledger's Joker eating beans

Similar to the classic art mashups, seeing the meme combined with favorite pop culture icons helps fuel the joke.

"This MF Eating Beans" Photos

Real photos posed to recreate the meme also became popular. For example:

• People eating beans in serious poses to match Tails' expression
• Pets staring seriously at bowls of beans
• Recreations capturing the awkward angle and framing

Staging real photos adds a fun sense of participation to the meme's universe.

Absurd and Random Bean Situations

Part of the humor also comes from applying the meme to increasingly ridiculous scenarios, like:

• "This mf eating beans during a tornado"
• "This mf eating beans at his own wedding"
• "This mf eating beans on the moon"

Coming up with the most bizarre context for Tails eating beans heightens the nonsensical effect.

Analysis of the Meme's Appeal and Meaning

Looking at the deeper cultural context helps explain what makes "this mf eating beans" so amusing for the internet mainstream:

Silly Escapism

The sheer frivolity of acting like someone eating beans is shocking or outrageous provides escapism from real world problems. It allows the audience to be in on the joke.

Millennial and Gen Z Humor

The randomness and remix culture appeal to Millennial and Gen Z sensibilities. The meme spread on the social platforms they frequent.

Nostalgia Factor

For 90s kids who recognize Tails from Sonic games, there's an element of nostalgia and subverting childhood memories for humor.

Cultural Commentary

Some interpretations suggest the meme represents American excess and gluttony. But it mainly seems to be absurdity for absurdity's sake.

Pandemic Relevance

The meme regained relevance during the pandemic as people spending more time alone turned to the internet for distraction and community.

While completely silly on the surface, the enduring popularity of "this mf eating beans" represents a desire for low-stakes laughter in difficult times.

How Brands Have Capitalized on the Meme

Various brands have found ways to incorporate the viral meme for marketing purposes:

Bush's Beans

The classic bean brand posted bean-eating memes on social media to engage their audience and associate their product with the trend.

Wendy's

The fast food chain changed their Twitter avatar to the Tails eating beans screenshot, acknowledging the meme's appeal to their customer base.

Pop Culture Apparel

Online retailers sell shirts, phone cases, and other products featuring the meme image and quotes.

Influencer Marketing

Brands have paid social media influencers to incorporate the beans meme into sponsored content aimed at younger demographics.

While some marketing efforts come across as trying too hard, brands can execute it in an authentic way that resonates with meme fans.

The Lasting Appeal and Legacy

The "this mf eating beans" meme has cemented its place in internet pop culture history alongside other viral classics like Grumpy Cat, Doge, and Distracted Boyfriend.

Elements that give it such widespread and long-lasting appeal include:

• Its sheer randomness and strangeness
• Relatability despite being nonsensical
• Adaptability to different remixes and jokes
• Providing generations online with escapist absurd humor

Years later, the sight of Tails solemnly eating beans remains code for invoking off-the-wall hilarity. The meme endures as the perfect encapsulation of enjoyably weird internet culture.

So next time you encounter someone eating beans online, there's a good chance you've spotted a rare "this mf eating beans" meme out in the wild!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.