In the ever-evolving world of internet culture, memes have become a dominant form of communication. They spread rapidly, often carrying complex ideas and emotions in a concise and easily shareable format. One such meme that has gained significant traction is the "Chad" meme. But who is this mythical man of meme-dom?
This article explores the origins, evolution, and various forms of the Chad meme, from its early appearances in Urban Dictionary to its role in expressing ideas of masculinity, superiority, and even hate.
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Early Origins of the Term "Chad"
The term "Chad" predates its internet meme status. According to the Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, it was used by British soldiers during World War II to refer to members of the Royal Air Force. In Chicago, Illinois during the 1990s, "Chad" became a derogatory slang term for young, successful white men in their 20s and early 30s.
For our purposes, we first see Chad in the Urban Dictionary at least as early as 2005, describing something that’s “rubbish or unworthy.” On June 1, 2006, Urban Dictionary user Mav Himself submitted an entry for "Chad," defining him as a guy who "goes to the bar to pick up chicks."
The term has come into use in incel forums and as internet slang to refer to sexually active, supposedly genetically superior men, or "alpha males". Within the manosphere and internet culture, Chads are generally viewed as constituting the top decile in terms of genetic fitness. In online animation drawings in the manosphere, a Chad is often depicted as a muscular blond man with very pronounced masculine features.
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Appropriately, Yes, Chad often only says, “yes” to whatever thing he’s prompted with, which gives him a standoffish and superior tone.
In each edition of web_crawlr we have exclusive original content every day. On Saturday our Video Producer Kyle Calise explores the origins and history of the most iconic memes online in his “Meme History” column.
The Emergence of "Chad Thundercock"
On August 10, 2013, the first instance of "Chad Thundercock" appears on Urban Dictionary. It describes a stereotypical high school/college alpha male, successful with women, and often oblivious. On August 9, 2013, Urban Dictionary user Dr. On August 10, 2013, the Chad Thundercock Tumblr blog was launched.
On March 23, Redditor invicticide submitted a post questioning how Chad became "the default name for alpha douchebros" to the r/ForeverAlone subreddit, to which Redditor ian_n cited the /r9k/ board on 4chan as the origin of the meme. On May 21, Redditor JayEster submitted a post to the /r/justneckbeardthings subreddit questioning what the female counterpart to Chad Thundercock was, to which Redditor Thepaladinofchaos replied "Stacy thundercunt.
"Yes Chad" or "Nordic Gamer"
And finally, we have “Yes, Chad.” Also known as “Nordic Gamer,” this face and side profile often appear alongside Wojack variants and other comics. He originates in a super racist 4Chan forum juxtaposed against someone of Mediterranean descent.
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But yes, Chad really took off as a meme following a 2019 tweet where he was pitted against an unrelated comic. This is the format that seemed to work for him, because in the current day, he’s almost never seen alone.
Note, again, the blonde hair, full beard, full jawline, and almost idiotic levels of self-assuredness.
With the Yes Chad meme regularly emerging in various cultural backgrounds, the character has evolved into a symbol of outward confidence, even regardless of one’s appearance features. The Yes Chad is stoic and immune to embarrassment.
Variations and Related Memes
Several variations and related memes have emerged from the Chad concept:
- Virgin vs. Chad: This meme compares "virgin" men with low self-confidence to their Chad Thundercock counterparts through a series of illustrations.
- Soyjaks vs. Chads: Also known as Other Anime Spoiler and Other Game Leaks, this format compares various subjects via conversations between Soyjaks and between two Chads.
- Gigachad: A related internet meme that uses black-and-white photographs of a muscular male model. The Chad meme portrays a well-built blond man with blue eyes and a beard and is used to mock the man who appears and acts too manly, that on Internet culture is also known as GigaChad, Chad to out-Chad all Chads, the Alpha Male of the Alpha Males, and massive Chad.
The “Yes meme” is a popular variation of the Chad meme series, portrayed the well-built and confident Gigachad responding with “Yes” to various statements. As a versatile meme, Yes Chad is used to express a wide range of scenarios, showcasing resilience and the embodiment of a “sigma male.”
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Table: Key Chad Meme Variations
| Meme Variation | Description |
|---|---|
| Virgin vs. Chad | Compares "virgin" men with low self-confidence to their Chad Thundercock counterparts. |
| Soyjaks vs. Chads | Compares subjects through conversations between Soyjaks and Chads. |
| Gigachad | Features black-and-white photographs of a muscular male model. |
Chad in the Context of White Nationalist Politics
Memes have been an important strategic tool for the white nationalist movement popularly known as the “Alt Right,” particularly during the 2016 United States Presidential race. There are two reasons for this. The first is the ease with which memes can be spread online. The second is that memes defy definitive interpretation.
The basic form of the “Virgin vs. Chad” meme is a comparison between two subjects. One, the “Chad,” is represented by an image of a muscular, flamboyantly posed figure with a bulging crotch. He is presented as the epitome of everything that is desirable or admirable: confident, unbothered, secure in himself.
A later evolution of the “Virgin vs. Chad” meme is the “Soy vs. Chad” comparison. In this form, a figure drawn amateurishly in black and white, known as a “Soyjack,” is shown face to face with a figure, usually in profile and portrayed in a more polished style with a calm expression, known as a “Yes Chad.”
Memes with Classical elements can similarly mock the way neofascists claim Greeks and Romans as racial ancestors or project modern racial categories onto the ancient world. But just like with the “Virgin vs. Chad” form, the inherently hierarchical nature of the “Soy vs. Chad” form can inadvertently reinforce white nationalist ideas.
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