Time to say goodbye to these overused Twitter joke formats

Sorry to you and your son.
 By 
Chloe Bryan
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

There are not that many ways to make jokes on Twitter. Most jokes follow some kind of viral template -- which is (one of) the reasons the platform often feels like a cursed echo chamber.

And, of course, some formats are better than others. Even the good ones -- which should have finite shelf lives -- tend to overstay their welcome. (Remember the biggest crossover event in history?)

That is why, despite our trepidation, we gotta call it on the following joke formats. It's not that they were never good; it's that they aren't good anymore. So please stop using them, and we will try to do the same.

Please.

1. "Don't talk to me or my son ever again."

It brings us no joy to put this on this list, as pictures of a big thing alongside a smaller version of the thing are generally very funny. Unfortunately, too many people have made the "me or my son" joke and it has lost its whimsical power. Rest in peace.

This slight variation on the format is still good, though.

2. "Forever mood"

It is true that some things are a forever mood. But it is not true that everything is a forever mood. And thus, the forever mood must go.

3. "This is the future liberals want."

Honestly, the idea of a global "future" is sort of up in the air right now! And this joke format, while truly hilarious in its day, has simply been used too many times to pack a punch any longer. Push it back to the annals of 2017 where it belongs.

4. "It me"

Nebulous in its origins, impossible to Google, and far too broad in its application, "it me" has become one of those internet phrases that pretty much means nothing. It time... to say goodbye.

5. Trump yelling at the lawn kid

These used to be so good! But this cursed image has been riffed on so many times, and in the wake of so many traumatizing developments in the news, that we simply cannot bear to see it any longer. Leave Frank the lawn kid alone.

6. "...said no one ever."

How are we still seeing this eighth-grade level burn in 2018?

7. "Yeah, sex is cool, but..."

Sadly, society has never been able to surpass one of the original iterations of this joke: "yeah sex is cool but have you ever had garlic bread." You're not going to do better than that, so it's time to gently coax this one into retirement.

8. "Hold my beer."

The basic premise of the "hold my beer" meme is that when someone does something horrible, it's guaranteed that another person will do something worse -- and soon. This is true, obviously, but it's also deeply sad. That's why this meme has become so exhausting.

9. "Just gonna leave this here."

To be clear, we're not against leaving things here. Sometimes, there's not much commentary to make about something -- it's funnier if your followers just see for themselves.

But you don't have to announce yourself, like, every time.

Mashable Image
Chloe Bryan

Chloe was the shopping editor at Mashable. She was also previously a culture reporter. You can follow her on Twitter at @chloebryan.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You

More in Life
How to watch Chelsea vs. Port Vale online for free
Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea reacts

How to watch 'Wuthering Heights' at home: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's controversial romance now streaming
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi embracing in still from "Wuthering Heights"

How to watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers online for free
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders warms up

How to watch Mexico vs. Belgium online for free
Israel Reyes of Mexico reacts

How to watch Brazil vs. Croatia online for free
Vinicius Junior #10 of Brazil leaves

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 4, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 4, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone


Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!