As Thanksgiving approaches each year, you may notice a particular phrase popping up more and more online – “May your turkey be moist.” This lighthearted saying has evolved into a hilarious meme that provides some comedic relief during the holiday season. Let’s take a look at the origins, meaning, and enduring appeal of the “May your turkey be moist” Thanksgiving meme.
The Wish for Perfectly Cooked Birds
The phrase “May your turkey be moist” comes from the simple desire to have a tender, juicy turkey as the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal. Dry, overcooked turkey is the nightmare outcome every Thanksgiving cook wants to avoid. So wishing for a moist, flavorful turkey for friends and family is a thoughtful sentiment. However, the word “moist” tends to make some people uncomfortable, which paved the way for the phrase to become a funny meme.
Discomfort with the Word “Moist”
While there’s nothing wrong with the word “moist,” it oddly makes many people cringe or squirm when they hear it. Some theories suggest the association with bodily functions elicits this response. Others just find the sound of the word unpleasant. Whatever the cause, there is an acknowledged aversion to saying “moist” in any context including turkey.
A Hilarious Meme is Born
Because of the combined wish for delicious turkey and the squeamishness around saying “moist,” the phrase “May your turkey be moist” became prime fodder for jokes and memes. It allowed people to acknowledge the humor in wanting moist turkey but not wanting to say the M-word out loud.
The saying started circulating online around 2015, and quickly gained traction through social media platforms and humor websites. It had all the ingredients – a funny, relatable phrase perfect for the Thanksgiving season.
Why the Meme Has Stayed Popular
There are several reasons this humorous meme has shown incredible staying power each holiday season:
- It’s universal – no matter how you cook your turkey, moistness is desired.
- It captures the awkwardness of “moist” perfectly.
- It’s become a fun yearly social media tradition for many.
- It represents the humor and camaraderie of Thanksgiving celebrations.
- It can be applied creatively in different formats like cards, videos, gifs, etc.
- It’s family-friendly and suitable for all ages.
How People Use the Meme
The “moist turkey” meme has infiltrated social media and pop culture in creative ways
- Social media posts: It’s commonly used in tweets, Instagram captions, and Facebook statuses.
- Ecards: Humorous e-greeting cards often incorporate the meme.
- Gifs: People use funny moist turkey gifs in holiday messaging.
- Thanksgiving table decor: Some use it on napkins, signage, or DIY decor.
- Ugly holiday sweaters: The saying has made its way onto some festive Thanksgiving sweaters.
- Thanksgiving memes: It’s included in larger meme collections celebrating the holiday.
Breakout Moments
The moist turkey meme has had a few high-profile moments over the years that amplified its popularity:
- In 2016, Someecards created a hugely popular ecard featuring the phrase.
- In 2018, Walmart sold a sweater with the meme phrase on it, selling out quickly.
- In 2019, Butterball Turkey included the meme on their Thanksgiving recipe cards.
- In 2020, the meme was used in a Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving sketch.
Other Funny Thanksgiving Memes
The moist turkey meme has spawned other funny Thanksgiving memes and phrases over the years:
- May your stuffing be stuffed
- May your potatoes be smashed
- May your pumpkin pie be thick
- May your gravy be lumpy
- May your cranberries be canned
- May your turkey be thanked
Why We Love These Silly Memes
In many ways, the moist turkey meme represents the lighter side of Thanksgiving – family, fun, and not taking ourselves too seriously. The popularity of these humorous memes reveals our universal need for connection, laughter, and celebration during the holidays. In uncertain times, having a moment of levity – even about a moist turkey – is something we all appreciate.
So this Thanksgiving, may your bird be juicy, tender, succulent, and flavorsome. But most of all, may it provide all the ingredients for a memorable holiday filled with the people and things that matter most. Happy Thanksgiving!
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