What’s the origin story behind the Kermit Tea Sipping meme?
The Kermit Tea Sipping meme originated from a Lipton tea commercial that aired during the 2014 Academy Awards, where Kermit the Frog promoted the message to “be more tea” – encouraging kindness and understanding. The meme’s journey began when it started appearing on Instagram in January 2014 with the tag #kermitmemes, but its true viral moment came in June 2014 with the creation of the @thatsnoneofmybusinesstho Instagram page.
Within just four days of the Instagram page’s creation, it accumulated over 130,000 followers, while Twitter saw #Kermit and #NoneOfMyBusiness reach 11,000 and 19,000 mentions respectively. What started as a wholesome advertising campaign transformed into one of the internet’s most enduring vehicles for sass and social commentary.
How did “#ButThatsNoneOfMyBusiness” become a viral hashtag?
The hashtag #ButThatsNoneOfMyBusiness exploded across social media platforms in June 2014, primarily through the dedicated Instagram account @thatsnoneofmybusinesstho. The phrase quickly became the perfect punctuation mark for pointing out hypocrisy or making sarcastic observations about everything from personal drama to societal issues.
The hashtag gained massive traction because it provided users with a way to express criticism while maintaining an air of detached superiority. Its viral spread was fueled by its versatility and ability to work across different social media platforms, with Twitter seeing over 19,000 mentions of #NoneOfMyBusiness in just the first week.
Which celebrities have famously used or referenced the Kermit Tea meme?
LeBron James stands as the most notable celebrity who elevated the Kermit Tea meme to new heights when he wore a baseball cap featuring the Kermit sipping tea image after the Cleveland Cavaliers’ victory over the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA playoffs. His Instagram post wearing the Kermit tea hat went viral and gave the meme a significant second wind in popular culture.
The meme received additional mainstream attention when Good Morning America attempted to cover the trend, inadvertently creating another viral moment by mistakenly referring to Kermit as #tealizard. This error sparked a new wave of memes and social media reactions, further cementing the Kermit Tea meme’s place in internet culture.
What makes the Kermit Tea Sipping meme so enduringly popular?
The Kermit Tea Sipping meme’s enduring popularity stems from its perfect balance of humor and criticism, allowing users to point out hypocrisy while maintaining a lighthearted tone through the beloved Muppet character. The meme’s adaptability to various situations and contexts has helped it remain relevant through different cultural moments and conversations.
Its staying power is further enhanced by Kermit’s status as a universally recognized character that can project various emotions and thoughts. The combination of a beloved children’s character with subtle sass creates a unique form of commentary that resonates across different demographics and social situations.
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