“That feeling when knee surgery is tomorrow.”—that was the first line of the Knee Surgery Meme. It made its debut in April 2021 on MemeCreator.org. It all started with a squirrel celebrating with its arms up in the original photograph. The meme’s meteoric rise to fame on social media was fueled by this peculiar mix.
A Reddit user modified the meme in August 2021 by adding a picture of a chill Drake. Even though the image changed, the caption stayed the same, but the joke got funnier. Users submitted similar content in a dedicated subreddit called r/Kneesurgerymemes after this version got traction.
Knee Surgery Meme: Key Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| First Appearance | April 2021 on MemeCreator.org |
| Original Image | Squirrel with arms raised, captioned “That feeling when knee surgery is tomorrow.” |
| Reddit Influence | Post by u/ZyeAxe with Drake’s image in August 2021 |
| Current Format | Blue Grinch variant, popularized by @bluegrinchy Instagram account |
| Subreddit | r/Kneesurgerymemes and r/bluegrinchkneesurgery |
| Authentic Reference | Know Your Meme |
A Meme About Squirrels
The original meme was successful because it was funny in an outlandish yet understandable way. The internet went nuts over a squirrel’s celebration after knee surgery. Its exposure was increased in April 2021 when the Instagram account @stupid.fricken.meme shared it. Many people found it appealing because of how simple it was.
The Adaptation of Reddit and Drake
In August of 2021, Reddit user u/ZyeAxe released an updated version of the meme, furthering its evolution. There was a photo of Drake with the identical caption on this. The new version of the meme added a hilarious new twist. The formation of the subreddit r/Kneesurgerymemes, which is devoted to jokes about knee surgery, was swiftly inspired by it.
A Blue Grinch’s Ascend
A hallmark of the meme was the blue Grinch. Surreal memes portraying a Grinch with blue tints were often uploaded by the Instagram account @bluegrinchy. The versions for squirrels and Drakes were superseded by this one in no time. Its fresh take on ridiculous humor and its ability to strike a chord with viewers made it popular among meme fans.
A second subreddit, r/bluegrinchkneesurgery, has already been established by November 2022. The blue Grinch was the only topic of discussion on this subreddit. Meme fans loved it because of the Grinch’s cheeky expression, which provided another level of fun.
An Analysis of the Blue Grinch’s Success
Surreal images and specific comedy contributed to the success of the blue Grinch meme. It stood out due to the unusual blend of a famous person with a medical setting. Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit, among others, shared imaginative adaptations, which increased its exposure.
An Australian political party’s TikTok video featured the blue Grinch meme. Because of this, the meme was able to reach more people. The Grinch’s blue coloring and mischievous grin helped make the meme famous and influential.
Spotify Secured Link
Posts on Spotify Wrapped featured a blue Grinch knee replacement meme in 2022. Because of this surprising crossover, the meme became popular in popular culture. A lot of people used the meme in their music recaps, which made it even more funny and appropriate for the holidays.
Meme-Specific Subreddits
There are two subreddits devoted to various facets of the meme. On r/Kneesurgerymemes, you can find jokes about knee surgery in general. This blue Grinch variant is showcased on r/bluegrinchkneesurgery. The two groups’ ongoing exchange of imaginative takes on the meme is what keeps it going strong.
Influence on Culture
A classic example of the inventiveness exhibited by online culture is the transformation of the meme from a squirrel into the blue Grinch. The ridiculousness of it all adds to its charm and makes it fun to watch. Social media sites such as Instagram and Reddit were important in maintaining its popularity.
