What Are Those? | Know Your Meme

What Are Those - The Story Behind A Viral Phrase

What Are Those? | Know Your Meme

By  Billy Streich

Have you ever seen something that just made you pause, maybe even chuckle, and then found yourself wondering aloud, "what are those?" It's a phrase that has, in a way, become a shared shorthand for pointing out footwear that catches your eye for all sorts of reasons. This simple question, with its almost playful edge, has quite a story behind it, reaching far beyond just a quick observation about someone's shoes.

The words themselves, "what are those," have really taken on a life of their own, becoming a well-known part of how people talk to each other, especially online. It's a phrase that, you know, sort of pops up when you least expect it, often bringing a moment of shared amusement or a knowing glance. We see it used in all sorts of situations, often connected to a particular kind of fashion statement, or maybe, just a fashion misstep.

This piece will take a closer look at where this expression came from, what it truly means when someone says "what are those," and how it grew to be such a big part of pop culture. We'll explore the people who helped make it famous and consider the deeper feelings it might represent, too. So, let's get into the interesting journey of these three little words.

Table of Contents

Who is Young Busco and "What Are Those"?

When we talk about the phrase "what are those," it's almost impossible not to mention a person named Young Busco. His actual name is Brandon Moore, and he played a very big part in making this particular saying as well-known as it is today. You see, he was the one who, in a way, helped push it into the public eye, turning it from just a random comment into something that many people would recognize and use themselves. His connection to the phrase is quite strong, and it really helped it take off, especially with younger crowds who spend a lot of time on social media platforms. He sort of gave it a platform, you might say, for it to truly spread its wings and become a piece of shared culture.

His contribution, honestly, was a key moment in the phrase's story. Without his involvement, it might not have reached the same level of widespread use or become such a memorable part of how people communicate about certain kinds of personal style. He was, in a way, a very important figure in its rise to fame.

Personal Details and Background for Young Busco

Real NameBrandon Moore
Known ForPopularizing the phrase "what are those?"

Where Did "What Are Those" Even Come From?

So, you might be curious about the actual beginning of this phrase, "what are those." It's a good question, because, you know, most viral sayings have a specific moment when they first burst onto the scene. For "what are those," that moment happened with a video clip that got a lot of attention on social media. It was back in 2015, and the video showed someone recording a police officer's shoes. The person holding the camera then asked, quite directly, "what are those?" It was a spontaneous sort of moment, and that very question, aimed at the officer's footwear, really caught on with people who saw it. That video, in a way, was the starting point for this whole phenomenon.

The simplicity of the interaction, just a quick query about someone's shoes, is what made it so shareable, in some respects. It was relatable, a little bit funny, and very easy for others to copy or adapt to their own situations. This kind of organic spread is what often helps things become really popular online, as people pick up on something that resonates with them and then make it their own. The phrase, therefore, has a clear point of origin, rooted in a very specific visual moment.

The First Spark of "What Are Those"

That initial video, the one with the police officer's shoes, was truly the spark for "what are those." It happened on Vine, which was a social media platform that allowed for very short, looping videos. The format of Vine, with its quick, repeatable clips, was, you know, perfect for something like this to go viral. People could watch it quickly, share it easily, and then try to recreate it themselves. This made the phrase spread like wildfire among users on the platform. It became a kind of inside joke that everyone was suddenly in on, or wanted to be.

Before this video, the words "what are those" were, of course, just a regular question. But after it, they took on a whole new meaning, specifically tied to pointing out shoes that might be seen as, well, not exactly stylish. It transformed from a common inquiry into a comedic expression, almost instantly. This transformation is, in a way, what makes the story of "what are those" so interesting; how a simple question can gain such a specific cultural weight.

What Exactly Does "What Are Those" Really Mean?

At its most basic, when someone asks "what are those?" they are, you know, usually making a comment about someone's shoes. The phrase is often used to make fun of footwear that might be considered, perhaps, a bit ugly or just not in style. It's a way of playfully, or sometimes not so playfully, pointing out shoes that stick out because they are, shall we say, a little bit out of the ordinary in a less than flattering way. So, if you hear someone say it, they are probably casting a bit of judgment on the shoes you are wearing, or that someone else is wearing.

It's a phrase that, in a way, captures a quick, visual reaction. It’s about that immediate feeling you get when you see something on someone's feet that just doesn't quite fit in, or looks, frankly, a little bit off. The words themselves carry a certain tone of surprise mixed with a touch of disbelief, which is what gives the phrase its particular comedic punch. It’s a very direct, yet somewhat indirect, way of expressing an opinion about someone's choice of shoes.

Beyond Just Shoes - "What Are Those" as a Statement

While "what are those" started with shoes, its meaning, in some respects, goes deeper than just footwear. The phrase, you know, can actually be about more than just a pair of sneakers or boots. It has come to represent a kind of gentle pushback against things that are old-fashioned or seem too rigid. It's a way of, perhaps, giving a slight nudge to things that represent tradition or figures of authority. It's almost like a playful challenge to the usual way of doing things.

This broader meaning suggests that the phrase can be used when someone sees something that feels out of place, or perhaps, a little bit behind the times, especially when it comes from something that is supposed to be proper or formal. It's a very human reaction to something that doesn't quite fit the current vibe, or seems to be stuck in the past. So, while it might start with a laugh about shoes, it can, in a way, reflect a wider feeling about challenging what is expected or traditional. It’s a subtle way of saying, "Why is that like that?"

The journey of "what are those" from a single video clip to a widely recognized saying is, you know, quite interesting. It didn't just stay on Vine; it truly became a big part of how people talk and share jokes across different platforms. This phrase, in a way, turned into a cultural marker, something that many people understood and could use in their everyday conversations or online posts. It spread because it was so easy to understand and so simple to adapt to new situations, making it very shareable.

Its popularity meant that you started seeing it pop up in all sorts of places, not just among friends chatting online. It made its way into entertainment, too, showing up in videos, memes, and even, you know, in more mainstream media. This kind of widespread use is what really solidified its place as a well-known part of popular culture. It became a shorthand for a certain type of observational humor, a quick way to get a laugh or make a point.

The Social Media Wave of "What Are Those"

Social media platforms were, in a way, the perfect environment for "what are those" to truly take off. The way these platforms work, with people sharing content very quickly and easily, meant that the phrase could reach a huge number of people in a very short amount of time. Videos, pictures, and short written posts all helped to spread the word, or rather, the phrase. It was like a wave, you know, washing over different online communities, with everyone picking up on it and adding their own spin.

The ability for users to create their own versions of the "what are those" meme, often featuring different kinds of interesting or unusual items, helped keep the phrase fresh and relevant. This kind of user-generated content is, in some respects, what keeps things alive on social media. People weren't just watching; they were participating, which made the phrase feel even more connected to the everyday experiences of online life. It became, basically, a shared language for a specific kind of playful critique.

What's the Difference - "What Are Those" Versus "What Are They"?

It's interesting to consider the slight, but important, difference between saying "what are those" and "what are they." While both are questions asking about something, the specific phrase "what are those" usually refers to objects or things that are right there, that you can see or touch. It's about something physically present, something you can point to, like, you know, a pair of shoes on someone's feet. The visual aspect is very important when you use "what are those."

On the other hand, "what are they" is a bit more general. You can use it to ask about a wider range of things, not just those that are right in front of you. For example, you might ask "what are they" when talking about ideas, or concepts, or things that are not physically present at that very moment. So, "what are those" has a very specific, visual, and often immediate connection to something you are observing, while "what are they" is, you know, a more open-ended question that can apply to almost anything. This distinction is subtle, but it truly shapes how each phrase is used in conversation.

The Lasting Footprint of "What Are Those"

Even though the initial viral moment for "what are those" happened some time ago, the phrase has, in a way, left a real mark on how people communicate. It's not just a passing trend; it's become a part of the everyday language for many, especially those who grew up with social media. The idea that a simple question about shoes could become such a widely recognized cultural reference is, honestly, quite something to think about. It shows how quickly things can spread and how a small moment can have a big impact on shared humor and expression.

The phrase continues to be used, sometimes to poke fun at someone's footwear, but also, you know, as a general expression of surprise or disbelief about something that seems out of place or just, well, a little bit odd. It’s a testament to its flexibility and its ability to connect with people on a very human level. The feelings it evokes—a bit of amusement, a touch of playful judgment, or even just genuine curiosity—are what have kept it alive and relevant.

So, from its humble beginnings in a short video clip to its current status as a widely understood piece of slang, "what are those" has truly made its way into the fabric of modern communication. It reminds us that language is always changing, always picking up new meanings, and that sometimes, the most simple questions can, in some respects, carry the most unexpected weight.

What Are Those? | Know Your Meme
What Are Those? | Know Your Meme

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WHAT ARE THESE / THOSE ? - ESL worksheet by bburcu
WHAT ARE THESE / THOSE ? - ESL worksheet by bburcu

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