The name “Ohio” has become the latest catchphrase among Gen Z and Gen Alpha. But this isn’t a nod to the state’s rock and roll history or even its chili with a cinnamon twist. Instead, “Ohio” has been repurposed as a synonym for anything “weird or absurd,” and the younger generations are embracing it with fervor.
The roots of this new slang can be traced back to the internet’s long-standing tradition of poking fun at Ohio.From viral YouTube videos mocking Cleveland to memes that suggested Ohio was on a secret mission to take over the world, the state has often been at the centre of online jokes. Now, it seems that Gen Alpha, those born between 2010 and 2024, have taken this humor to the next level.
The term “Ohio” has exploded on platforms like TikTok, where users casually drop the word to describe something cringeworthy or bizarre. According to NBC, it’s the latest iteration of the “only in Ohio” meme, which has gained traction over the years by highlighting strange or unexpected incidents from the Buckeye State.
Earlier this summer, phrases like “Only in Ohio” and “You’re so Ohio” saw a dramatic spike in Google searches, tripling to over 58,000 inquiries. Last year, the term even ranked as the second most searched meme on the search engine, according to The Wall Street Journal.
But what does “Ohio” really mean to these digital natives? For many, it’s shorthand for something that just doesn’t sit right, something off-kilter or downright odd, according to the New York Post.
Origins of the ‘Ohio’ meme
The meme culture surrounding Ohio has evolved over time, with some of the earliest jokes dating back to 2009, when the “Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism” videos went viral on YouTube. In 2010, rapper Lil B further cemented Ohio’s meme status with his track “Swag Like Ohio,” and by 2016, the Tumblr post calling for Ohio’s “elimination” propelled the state into internet infamy. The post featured a digital marquee ominously declaring, “Ohio will be eliminated,” sparking a series of memes that portrayed Ohio as a looming threat.
Fast forward to today, and “Ohio” has become a versatile insult, often paired with another Gen Alpha slang term, “skibidi.” The latter is a gibberish phrase linked to brain-rotting videos popular among kids, further underscoring the surreal and nonsensical nature of the “Ohio” insult.
So, if someone in Gen Alpha or Gen Z casually drops the word “Ohio” in conversation, it’s not a reference to the state’s proud history or its many attractions. Instead, it’s a playful jab at anything that seems a little too out there, a little too weird, or just plain absurd.
The roots of this new slang can be traced back to the internet’s long-standing tradition of poking fun at Ohio.From viral YouTube videos mocking Cleveland to memes that suggested Ohio was on a secret mission to take over the world, the state has often been at the centre of online jokes. Now, it seems that Gen Alpha, those born between 2010 and 2024, have taken this humor to the next level.
The term “Ohio” has exploded on platforms like TikTok, where users casually drop the word to describe something cringeworthy or bizarre. According to NBC, it’s the latest iteration of the “only in Ohio” meme, which has gained traction over the years by highlighting strange or unexpected incidents from the Buckeye State.
Earlier this summer, phrases like “Only in Ohio” and “You’re so Ohio” saw a dramatic spike in Google searches, tripling to over 58,000 inquiries. Last year, the term even ranked as the second most searched meme on the search engine, according to The Wall Street Journal.
But what does “Ohio” really mean to these digital natives? For many, it’s shorthand for something that just doesn’t sit right, something off-kilter or downright odd, according to the New York Post.
Origins of the ‘Ohio’ meme
The meme culture surrounding Ohio has evolved over time, with some of the earliest jokes dating back to 2009, when the “Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism” videos went viral on YouTube. In 2010, rapper Lil B further cemented Ohio’s meme status with his track “Swag Like Ohio,” and by 2016, the Tumblr post calling for Ohio’s “elimination” propelled the state into internet infamy. The post featured a digital marquee ominously declaring, “Ohio will be eliminated,” sparking a series of memes that portrayed Ohio as a looming threat.
Fast forward to today, and “Ohio” has become a versatile insult, often paired with another Gen Alpha slang term, “skibidi.” The latter is a gibberish phrase linked to brain-rotting videos popular among kids, further underscoring the surreal and nonsensical nature of the “Ohio” insult.
So, if someone in Gen Alpha or Gen Z casually drops the word “Ohio” in conversation, it’s not a reference to the state’s proud history or its many attractions. Instead, it’s a playful jab at anything that seems a little too out there, a little too weird, or just plain absurd.