The Origins and Evolution of the Viral 'Dummy Thicc' Meme

The Origins of the 'Dummy Thicc' Meme

The phrase 'dummy thicc' has become a popular internet meme in recent years. But where did it come from and what does it mean? Let's take a look at the origins and evolution of this viral term.

What Does 'Dummy Thicc' Mean?

The term 'dummy thicc' is used to describe someone (usually a video game character) with an exaggeratedly large or curvy rear end. It refers to someone who is extremely and almost comically 'thicc' or thick in the butt and thigh region.

The 'dummy' part of the phrase implies the thickness is extreme or even absurd. So calling someone 'dummy thicc' is meant almost as an over-the-top compliment about the size and shape of their rear.

Early Uses in Gaming Circles

Like many slang terms, 'dummy thicc' emerged from niche online gaming and anime communities in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Some of the earliest uses of the phrase can be traced back to fans of games like Metal Gear Solid.

For example, character designer Yoji Shinkawa's artwork for Metal Gear Solid 2 highlighted the large rear ends of characters like Fortune and Olga Gurlukovich. Fans took notice and began using 'dummy thicc' to praise these exaggerated figures.

The Meme Takes Off on Social Media

As the gaming community's use of 'dummy thicc' grew throughout the 2000s, the phrase began to spread more widely on social media in the mid-2010s. Two major developments helped popularize 'dummy thicc' more broadly:

• In 2016, an image meme featuring original Metal Gear Solid artwork of character Sniper Wolf began circulating online. The image was captioned "dummy thicc" as a humorous nod to the character's emphasized rear end.
• In late 2018, a clip of Metal Gear Solid 5 protagonist Venom Snake went viral after players noticed his butt jiggled while crawling. Fans immediately began commenting that Snake was 'dummy thicc', cementing the term's popularity.

As these memes spread rapidly on sites like Twitter, Reddit, and Tumblr, 'dummy thicc' was firmly established as part of the mainstream online lexicon by the late 2010s.

The Appeal of the 'Dummy Thicc' Meme

But why did this particular gaming in-joke gain such widespread appeal online? There are a few factors that help explain the 'dummy thicc' meme's rise:

Exaggerated Video Game Physics

Modern 3D games often exaggerate or enhance the rear ends of characters, resulting in absurd jiggling effects like those seen in Metal Gear Solid 5. These exaggerated physics are an endless source of amusement for fans.

Absurdist Internet Humor

Zoomer and millennial internet culture frequently relies on deliberately absurd, ironic, and nonsensical humor. Calling someone 'dummy thicc' in an exaggerated way fits right in with this style of meme.

Changing Cultural Attitudes

Wider cultural shifts have reduced stigmas around bodies and sexual themes. This greater openness has allowed exaggerated appreciation of rear ends to become more acceptable online.

'Dummy Thicc' in Mainstream Culture

While it originated as a gaming meme, 'dummy thicc' has now firmly entered the mainstream. The term is commonly used in a tongue-in-cheek way across internet culture and even in real-world slang. Some examples of its spread include:

• The release of popular 'dummy thicc' merchandise like t-shirts and phone cases.
• The phrase appearing in lyrics of hit rap songs.
• Athletes and celebrities being playfully described as 'dummy thicc' on social media.
• People adding 'dummy thicc' captions to booty photos on Instagram.

The absurdity of the phrase is part of its charm and humor. But its widespread use also reflects shifting cultural values around body positivity and sexual openness driven by younger generations. In the world of memes, few have broken through quite like the exaggerated 'dummy thicc'.

FAQs

What does 'dummy thicc' mean?

Dummy thicc is slang used to describe someone with a very large, curvy rear end and thick thighs. It implies an exaggerated, almost absurd thickness in the butt and leg region.

When did the 'dummy thicc' meme start?

The phrase emerged in the late 2000s within gaming communities, especially among fans of Metal Gear Solid praising the exaggerated figures of characters like Sniper Wolf. It spread more widely online in the mid-2010s.

Where did the phrase come from originally?

While its exact origin is unknown, dummy thicc appears to have been coined within niche online gaming and anime circles as a hyperbolic way to praise exaggerated rear ends on fictional characters.

How did 'dummy thicc' go mainstream?

Viral memes in 2016-2018 featuring Metal Gear Solid artwork and in-game footage helped introduce the gaming slang to wider audiences on social media and in internet culture.

Is 'dummy thicc' meant seriously or as a joke?

The absurdity and exaggeration of the phrase is mostly intended humorously and ironically. But it also reflects shifting attitudes towards body positivity and sexual openness.