{"id":29764,"date":"2013-11-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-11-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beirut.com\/29764\/four-uniquely-lebanese-memes"},"modified":"2023-08-14T10:47:29","modified_gmt":"2023-08-14T10:47:29","slug":"four-uniquely-lebanese-memes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beirut.com\/en\/29764\/four-uniquely-lebanese-memes\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Uniquely Lebanese Memes"},"content":{"rendered":"

An internet meme is defined as \u201can idea, style or action which spreads, often as mimicry, from person to person via the internet\u201d, though you probably know them as those funny images that pop up on your Facebook newsfeed. They\u2019ve been around since the earliest days of the internet, but majorly broke into mainstream pop culture in recent years, as more and more people were contributing to this growing cultural phenomenon. <\/p>\n

In addition to the universal memes that the entire web is familiar with, communities around the world have their own unique variations, as well as original ones relevant only to their cultures, and Lebanon is no exception. <\/p>\n

Here are four of the Lebanese online world\u2019s most prominent memes of recent years, and an overview of their origins and usage.<\/p>\n

1. Scumbag Zaven<\/big><\/big><\/b><\/p>\n


(Photo via Facebook<\/a><\/small><\/small>)<\/i><\/p>\n

This meme pokes fun at the interview style of Lebanese talk show host Zaven Kouyoumdjian. The name is derived from that of an existing meme, Scumbag Steve<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Zaven\u2019s show often deals with controversial issues, sometimes inviting guests who have suffered tragedies or misfortunes. At times, he would direct questions to guests related to whatever it is they\u2019ve been through, with the purpose of getting them to elaborate on their experience. Sometimes, it comes off as as insensitive question with an obvious answer, only intended to rub salt into the wound. Hence: Scumbag Zaven. <\/p>\n

The image above reads: \u201cHow did you feel when your father slaughtered your mother and mutilated her in a blender? Were you bothered?\u201d Zaven himself learned of the meme and was quite amused<\/a>. <\/p>\n

2. Thx Thx Thx Dawleh<\/big><\/big><\/b>
Translation: \u201cThx Thx Thx Government\u201d<\/p>\n


(Photo via Facebook<\/a><\/small><\/small>)<\/i><\/p>\n

Spawned by one of the videos from LBC\u2019s Cheyef 7alak<\/i> campaign, which highlights some of the uglier aspects of Lebanese society, this meme has become synonymous with a sarcastic critique of the Lebanese government and its shortcomings. <\/p>\n

The video it originates from<\/a> tackles the issue of our total disregard for pedestrian bridges, by presenting mockumentary-style interviews with typical Lebanese citizens<\/i>. One of those citizens is a young man of the modern age, played by Charbel Kamel, who earnestly praises the government for the pedestrian bridge (which provides much needed shade\u2026) with a little netspeak (\u201clol\u201d, \u2018wtf\u201d, \u201comg\u201d etc.) thrown in. And he does so by uttering the phrase: \u201cthx thx thx dawleh\u201d. <\/p>\n

A screenshot of the scene with the phrase superimposed can often be seen under an image representing a failure or inadequacy on behalf of the government. The image depicted above reads: \u201cTraffic jams around Beirut entrances due to Lebanese Army training on Port road\u201d, followed by a grateful \u201cThx thx thx dawleh\u201d.<\/p>\n

3. 3ade, Mashewe wel Shabeb, Mish Inno<\/big><\/big><\/b>
Translation: \u201cJust the Usual, Barbecue with the Guys, I Mean, It\u2019s Not Like Anything Else-“<\/p>\n


(Photo via Facebook<\/a><\/small><\/small>)<\/i><\/p>\n

Not the most hard-hitting meme, but certainly one of the most widespread and culturally significant, this one originates from an ad campaign for the alcoholic drink Buzz. In the ads, a character is put up against some kind of tricky social situation, with three reactions presented, two disastrous, one successful; the success attributed to the drink of course\u2026 oh and, the concept of the ads was a thinly-veiled rip-off of an existing campaign<\/a>. <\/p>\n

One particular ad<\/a> stars an average dude, played by Tino Karam, having a barbecue with the bros. The fun is interrupted by a call from his neck brace-wearing girlfriend who asks if he\u2019s having fun without her. First wrong reaction: laughs his ass off. Second wrong reaction: \u201cJust the usual, barbecue with the guys, I mean, it\u2019s not like anything else.” Correct reaction: \u201cReally babe? How could a second pass without me thinking about you?\u201d <\/p>\n

For some reason, the second reaction really resonated with the online community, leading to various parodies of the scene, and making the phrase part of the Lebanese vernacular, both online and off. The above example, posted this past March when Lebanon saw an unexpected locust invasion, reads: \u201cBabe, are you having fun without me?\u201d followed by, \u201cJust the usual, locusts ate the barbecue and the guys\u201d.<\/p>\n

4. Lesh Fi A7la Min Libnen?<\/big><\/big><\/b>
Translation: \u201cWhat\u2019s Greater Than Lebanon?\u201d<\/p>\n


(Photo via Facebook<\/a><\/small><\/small>)<\/i><\/p>\n

This one is not too different from \u201cthx thx thx dawleh\u201d, though the cynicism in it is not directed towards the Lebanese government particularly, but more towards Lebanon in a general sense. <\/p>\n

The meme originates from a recent ad<\/a> by the Ministry of Tourism titled Don\u2019t Go to Lebanon<\/i>. The ad\u2019s formula is simple: a speaker mentions something that you\u2019re not supposed to have in excess, only to reveal a soft spot for whatever it is, ex: \u201cThey say don\u2019t stay out late; but what\u2019s wilder than a night out?\u201d.<\/p>\n

The ad concludes with the ultimate guilty pleasure: \u201cThey say stay away from Lebanon; but what\u2019s greater than Lebanon?\u201d It\u2019s heartwarming sure, but the jaded Lebanese citizen begs to differ. Thus, a meme was born. <\/p>\n

Much like \u201cthx thx thx dawleh\u201d, a screenshot from the scene where the phrase is uttered with superimposed text is often placed after an image depicting an unpleasant aspect of Lebanese life, or altering the image itself to reflect that, as in the example above, where the scene is darkened and a candle is introduced, referencing Lebanon\u2019s frequent power cuts. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An internet meme is defined as \u201can idea, style or action which spreads, often as mimicry, from person to person via the internet\u201d, though you probably know them as those funny images that pop up on your Facebook newsfeed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":447675,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ai_generated_summary":"","_preview_accessed":0,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"media-embed-type":[],"class_list":["post-29764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-listomania"],"authorship":[7],"yoast_head":"\nFour Uniquely Lebanese Memes<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"An internet meme is defined as \u201can idea, style or action which spreads, often as mimicry, from person to person via the internet\u201d, though you probably know them as those funny images that pop up on your Facebook newsfeed.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" 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