In today's digital landscape, new slang and memes emerge faster than ever. One such meme that has gained significant traction is the "Chad" meme. But what exactly does 'Chad' mean, and why has it become such a viral sensation?
Chad, also known as Yes Chad and Chad Thunderc***, is a nickname for any attractive, popular men who are sexually successful with women. Similar to the term "Normies", Chad and his female counterpart Stacy are often used as pejoratives by those who consider themselves nonconformists on 4chan's /r9k/ board.
The Origins of the Chad Meme
The Chad meme has a long, complicated history dating back to the early 2000s. In Chicago, Illinois during the 1990s, "Chad" became a derogatory slang term for young, successful white men in their 20s and early 30s.
- 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."
- August 9, 2013: Urban Dictionary user Dr.
- August 10, 2013: The Chad Thunderc*** Tumblr blog was launched.
- 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.
- May 21: Redditor JayEster submitted a post to the /r/justneckbeardthings subreddit questioning what the female counterpart to Chad Thunderc*** was, to which Redditor Thepaladinofchaos replied "Stacy thunderc***."
The Evolution of the Chad Meme
Over time, the Chad meme has evolved into various forms, each with its own unique characteristics and connotations.
Virgin vs. Chad
Virgin vs. Chad, also known as Virgin Walk, refers to a series of illustrations comparing various "virgin" men with low self-confidence to their Chad Thunderc*ck counterparts. In internet culture, Chads are portrayed as the opposite of “beta males:” the nerdy, antisocial fellas who can’t escape the friend zone.
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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.
The other, the “Virgin,” is portrayed as a a hunched figure walking with downcast eyes. He represents the opposite of the “Chad”: undesirable, inferior, ashamed of his inability to be what the “Chad” embodies.
Soy vs. Chad
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.”
By contrast, the “Soy,” who often grimaces or weeps, articulates a point of view that the meme as a whole mocks or dismisses. The humor of the meme derives from the way that the Chad deflates the outrage of the soy by affirming what the soy has criticized.
Gigachad
Ever stumbled upon the term 'Gigachad' and wondered what all the buzz is about? Around 2017, Gigachad emerged in memes, taking the Chad archetype to the extreme. GigaChad is the ultimate Chad-the hypermasculine ideal.
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The term combines "Giga," meaning something massive, with "Chad," a slang term for a confident, attractive guy. GigaChad is the ultimate version of Chad Thundercock.
The image that became known as GigaChad is the fruit of an art project called sleekntears, created by the artist Krista Sudmalis.
| Meme Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Chad | Attractive, popular men who are sexually successful with women. |
| Virgin vs. Chad | Compares "virgin" men with low self-confidence to their Chad Thunderc*ck counterparts. |
| Soy vs. Chad | Compares a "Soyjack" figure with a "Yes Chad" figure, often mocking the Soyjack's point of view. |
| Gigachad | The ultimate Chad, representing the hypermasculine ideal. |
The Chad Meme and Internet Culture
The Chad meme became popular on 4chan and Reddit. It’s definitely still a dominant presence on niche internet forums. But these days, Chad is as mainstream as memes get.
The slang term Chad has historically been applied in different contexts. 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. Chads are sometimes portrayed as the opposite to "omega" or "beta" males, and as physically attractive.
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It is tempting to dismiss the world of memes as ephemeral, superficial, or trivial. But they deserve the attention of anyone concerned with the entanglement of Greco-Roman antiquity in white nationalist politics. This is the message that many people have encountered before they even set foot in a history class.
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