The Clearing Throat Meme Explained
The "clearing throat" meme refers to a reaction GIF or short video clip depicting someone obviously and deliberately clearing their throat. It is typically used online to get someone's attention, express disapproval at something someone has said, or communicate awkwardness or discomfort in a conversation.
This meme features various well-known celebrities, actors, athletes clearing their throat in an exaggerated and humorous manner. Some popular versions include Nick Young, Barack Obama, The Rock, and McKayla Maroney.
Where the Meme Started
One of the earliest known uses of the clearing throat meme format came from a short clip of Nick Young (aka Swaggy P), an American basketball player...
How it Became Popular
The meme grew in popularity online among sports fans at first. But it expanded into mainstream meme culture in 2018 when...
Uses and Impact of the Clearing Throat Meme
Common Usages
Today this meme is used in a variety of situations online as a reaction including:
- Expressing disapproval, scorn or discomfort with someone else's words
- Interrupting a conversation to interject
- Indicating awkwardness in a social situation
- Transitioning between different topics
- Drawing extra attention to a statement
Cultural Significance
This meme format has become a popular way to inject humor and express reactions non-verbally. Some argue it captures the zeitgeist of online communication where body language cues are missing...
Let me know if you would like me to develop any part of this further into a full article. I tried to highlight key areas to cover related to the meme itself and its usage and impact. Please feel free to provide more guidance if needed!FAQs
Where did the clearing throat meme start?
One of the earliest known origins of the clearing throat meme was a short video clip of basketball player Nick Young posted online in 2018. It showed him exaggeratedly clearing his throat to express disbelief. This quickly gained traction as a reaction meme template online.
What are clearing throat memes typically used for?
These memes are commonly used to express disapproval, scorn, discomfort, awkwardness or as a way to interject or draw attention to a statement in online conversations. The dramatic throat clearing adds humor and communicates the reaction non-verbally.
What makes the clearing throat meme so popular and widespread?
The meme format resonated with internet culture because it captured a familiar, relatable reaction in an exaggerated, humorous fashion. As a non-verbal reaction, it translates well across international borders. The meme also benefits from featuring various known celebrities clearing their throats.
Is the clearing throat meme used offline or just online?
This meme originated online and is predominantly used to express reactions in online conversations, forum discussions, comment chains, etc. However, some people may reference the exaggerated throat clearing gesture in real life as well when they want to non-verbally communicate similar reactions.
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.
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