The Viral Phenomenon: 7 Ways The 'What Are We?' Meme Redefined Group Identity And Digital Culture

The "What Are We?" meme, which surged to global virality in late 2023 and dominated the digital landscape throughout 2024, is far more than just a simple joke; it’s a powerful cultural phenomenon that fundamentally redefined how groups classify and satirize themselves online. This trend, formally known as the "We're X, Of Course We Y" phrasal template, became the ultimate vehicle for collective self-awareness, allowing communities, professions, and subcultures to hilariously list their most defining, often stereotypical, behaviors and quirks. As of this current date in December 2025, the meme's legacy continues to influence new content formats, serving as a masterclass in digital identity and communication.

The meme’s success lies in its universal adaptability and its ability to turn internal group jokes into mass-market entertainment. From college students lamenting all-nighters to professional athletes showcasing their locker-room rituals, the simple, two-part structure provided a perfectly packaged, shareable piece of content that exploded across platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, generating billions of views and cementing its place as one of the most significant viral trends of its era.

The Anatomy of a Viral Hit: Origin and Core Mechanics

The core of the "What Are We?" meme lies in the simple, declarative statement: "We're [Group X], of course we [Action Y]." This structure is a rhetorical device that simultaneously asserts a group identity and provides a self-deprecating or proud example of that group's common behavior. The meme's primary intent is to foster a sense of shared experience and in-group humor.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

The TikTok Genesis and Phrasal Template

The trend's origins are firmly rooted in the short-form video platform, TikTok, specifically gaining traction in late November 2023 and reaching its peak virality in early 2024. While the exact "first" video is difficult to pinpoint in the fast-moving world of content creation, the format quickly coalesced around groups of people—often two or more—taking turns to complete the template while holding up a finger or pointing at the camera, giving it a dynamic, conversational feel. The success of this format hinges on:

• The Call to Action: The implied question "What are we?" is answered by the group itself, establishing the identity (X).
• The Stereotype Confirmation: The "of course we Y" segment confirms a behavior that is widely known, often exaggerated, or a running joke within the community.
• Relatability and Exclusivity: It creates a moment of knowing laughter for those in the group while providing an entertaining glimpse into the group's culture for outsiders.

The meme's rapid spread is a textbook example of a successful phrasal template meme, a category of internet humor where a simple, fill-in-the-blank structure is replicated endlessly with new content. This ease of creation lowered the barrier to entry, allowing virtually any group—from "We're nurses" to "We're gamers"—to participate.

7 Major Categories and Viral Examples of the 'What Are We?' Meme

The sheer volume of content created using the "We're X, Of Course We Y" template is what gave it its massive topical authority and cultural footprint. The meme was used to classify everything from socioeconomic groups to niche hobbies. Here are seven major categories that went viral, showcasing the meme's versatility:

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

1. Socioeconomic & Lifestyle Groups: The DINKs Phenomenon
   One of the most viral and discussed variations was the "We're DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids), of course we spend all our money on travel and fancy dinners." This video, and others like it, highlighted the luxurious and often criticized lifestyle of this specific demographic, sparking widespread debate about modern financial choices and family planning.
2. Professional & Workplace Teams
   This category was a massive hit on LinkedIn and other professional platforms. Examples included: "We're software engineers, of course we blame the network," "We're baristas, of course we judge your complex order," and "We're teachers, of course we pay for supplies out of pocket."
3. Retail & Customer Service
   Highly popular for its relatable frustration, these videos focused on the daily struggles of service workers. The "We're retail workers, of course we say 'I'll check in the back' when we know it's not there" variation was a favorite.
4. Niche Hobbies and Fandoms
   The meme allowed subcultures to celebrate their niche interests. Examples included: "We're K-Pop stans, of course we have five different versions of the same album," and "We're Dungeon Masters, of course we spend hours planning a session that ends in 15 minutes."
5. Athletic Teams and Fitness Enthusiasts
   From professional sports teams creating content for their social media channels to casual gym-goers, this category focused on training rituals and team dynamics. A notable example was the "We're Costco Guys" video, which, although retail-focused, also had a strong team dynamic element, showing off their shopping habits.
6. Geographical & Regional Groups
   Localized versions of the meme gained significant traction, with people from various cities, states, or countries listing their unique, often strange, regional quirks. For instance, "We're Floridians, of course we're used to a 10-minute downpour every afternoon."
7. The Literal Relationship Question
   While the "We're X, Of Course We Y" is the dominant viral format, the original keyword "What Are We?" is a classic, high-tension question in modern dating. The meme format indirectly satirizes this relationship ambiguity, where the question "Seriously, what are we?" signifies a phase that is "more than friends, less than a relationship." This entity provides an important contrast, showing how a serious question was co-opted for lighthearted group identity humor.

The Cultural Impact: Why the Meme Was So Successful

The longevity and pervasive nature of the "What Are We?" meme can be attributed to several key factors that tap into modern digital communication and meme culture. It served as a powerful tool for digital identity construction and cultural communication.

Fostering a Sense of Belonging

At its heart, the meme is about in-group validation. By listing a stereotype, the creators signal that they belong to a specific tribe. This shared humor creates an emotional bridge and fosters a strong sense of community and shared experience among members, whether they are "Dog Parents" or "College Students."

Self-Aware Satire and Irony

The most successful videos often leveraged self-deprecating humor. Instead of denying a stereotype, the meme encourages the group to embrace it ironically. This act of self-aware satire makes the content instantly funny and highly relatable, serving as a form of social commentary on the group's own reputation. The use of irony in viral memes is a hallmark of contemporary internet humor.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

The Lifecycle of Virality

The trend followed a classic meme lifecycle: it began in a niche (possibly a specific friend group or college campus), was amplified by major creators on TikTok, quickly spread across different platforms (Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube), and eventually splintered into sub-trends like the "Suspect Challenge," which was a direct variation focusing on suspicious or unusual behaviors within a group. This rapid spread and mutation ensured that the "We're X, Of Course We Y" template remained fresh and relevant for months.

The "What Are We?" meme, in its "We're X, Of Course We Y" form, stands as a testament to the power of a simple, adaptable structure in the digital age. It allowed millions to define themselves, share a laugh, and participate in a global conversation about identity, making it a monumental piece of internet history and a key example of Gen Z communication.