As 2023 draws to a close amid a backdrop of significant societal highs and lows, the nation grapples with heightened political polarization. Yet, amidst these challenges, one constant remains—Pakistanis’ unwavering affection for memes. Embodying the essence of Richard Dawkins’ concept, these self-replicating nuggets of cultural exchange have become a shared experience that resonates with us all.
From the infectious “moye moye” to the ever-relatable “Sher,” and encounters that leave us looking “like a wow,” let’s revisit the memes that provided a continuous source of amusement throughout the year. Acting as a collective humor bridge, these memes effortlessly connect us, transcending idiosyncratic similarities and differences that characterize our shared human experience.
‘Moye Moye’
In the annals of 2023, the year earned the playful moniker “moye moye year” as netizens embraced an infectious phrase that took social media by storm.
The source of this linguistic delight traces back to the Serbian song “DŽANUM” by Teya Dora, where the actual phrase is “moje more,” meaning “my nightmares.”
However, owing to its quirky pronunciation, social media users playfully adopted the misinterpretation of “moye moye.” With no turning back, this delightful linguistic twist became a viral sensation, encapsulating the whimsical spirit of the year. The original song itself has amassed over 63 million views on YouTube.
With around 1.4 million reels on Instagram alone, netizens are apparently having a blast utilising the phrase to depict dark humour and a rather comical take on embarrassing, or even dire situations.
Bollywood actor and Indian singer Ayushmann Khurrana succumbed to the viral trend during a recent music gig, unable to resist its charm.
‘Looking Like a vow’
Are you embodying the essence of a ‘wow’? The phrase “so beautiful, so elegant, just looking like a wow” has become a viral sensation on social media, triggering a flood of memes across various platforms.
Originating from a video by Jasmeen Kaur, owner of a clothing store in New Delhi, where she enthusiastically markets her outfits, the meme gained widespread popularity. Even Yashraj Mukhate, known for his “Rasodme kaun tha” creation, couldn’t resist and turned it into a catchy song.
Bollywood stars also couldn’t resist the iconic phrase with Deepika Padukone and others parodying it on their Instagram accounts.
‘Jamal Kudu’
The internet is buzzing with excitement as Bobby Deol, portraying the character “Abrar ul Haque” in the Bollywood movie “Animal,” takes over the spotlight. Despite mixed reactions to the film, Deol’s unique dance moves to the “Jamal Kudu” song, marking his character’s entry, have captured attention. Balancing a glass on his head adds to the idiosyncratic charm, and it seems the online community is thoroughly enjoying the spectacle!
Some social media users compared Pakistan’s wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan’s recent image from the Australia Test series to that of Deol’s character’s moves, whereas others used the song on an old dance video of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli.
