Difference between revisions of "Community fads"

From Team Fortress Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Soupcrock Porkpie)
(Undo edit by Akolyth (Talk) (3845768) bird scout should redirect to bird scout.)
(Tag: Undo)
 
(805 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{cleanup}}
+
{{Redirects here|Memes|Operation Memes vs Machines}}
 +
[[File:Demopan_Large.png|thumb|250px|right|Demopan]]
 
{{Quotation|'''The Spy'''|Gentlemen.|sound=Spy_battlecry01.wav}}
 
{{Quotation|'''The Spy'''|Gentlemen.|sound=Spy_battlecry01.wav}}
  
Team Fortress 2 and its community are responsible for the birth of a variety of '''memes.''' A meme, by definition, is [http://www.harvestseo.com/seo-glossary-m.html "an idea or concept that attains online popularity."] The medium used in which to create the memes can range not only from Team Fortress 2, as {{W|Garry's Mod}} and {{W|Source_(game_engine)#Source_Filmmaker|Source Film Maker}} are some of the most frequent mediums.  
+
'''Community fads''' are fads that circulate or originate throughout the ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'' community. A fad is, by definition, "any form of behavior that develops among a large population and is collectively followed with enthusiasm for some period..."<ref>[[w:Fad|Wikipedia article on fads]]</ref> Some of the most frequently used mediums to create ''Team Fortress 2'' fads include not only ''Team Fortress 2'' itself, but also ''[[w:Garry's Mod|Garry's Mod]]'' and [[w:Source_(game_engine)#Source_Filmmaker|Source Filmmaker]].  
  
 +
Some of the more well-known fads have gone on to become '''internet memes''', which are defined as, "ideas or concepts that attain online popularity."<ref>[[w:Internet meme|Wikipedia article on memes]]</ref>
  
== Memes Found In Game ==
+
== Fads Found In-Game ==
=== Gentlemen ===
+
 
[[File:Gentlemen.jpg|right|thumb|The original image macro]]
+
=== Crazy Legs ===
The '''"Gentlemen."''' meme stems from one of the [[Spy]]'s most ubiquitous catchphrases. His calm, suave, calculating persona is encapsulated in his utterance of the simple address, followed by the careful placement of a cigarette.  
+
[[File:Crazylegs.jpg|right|thumb|"Hey, look at me, Ma!"]]  
 +
 
 +
The '''Crazy Legs''' phenomenon has existed for at least as long as ''Team Fortress 2'' has been public. Crazy Legs exists as a bug that affects the [[Scout]]'s legs when [[crouching]] and [[Double Jump|double jump]]ing in unison, rotating them randomly with no regard for the direction of the Scouts pelvis or knees. The resulting deformity has also been compared to "two raw bacon strips held up in a wind tunnel" and as a result, Crazy Legs is also referred to as '''Bacon Legs'''. The effect is visible in third-person, and is vastly likelier to occur when in  [[Civilian|reference position]].
 +
 
 +
Officially, the [[Glitches|bug]] is fixed, and has been since the {{Patch name|1|13|2010}}. However, the bug is still present in some form, with the effects being significantly less obvious than they were before the fix. Occasionally, the phenomenon has been seen by players as severe as before it was claimed to be fixed.
 +
 
 +
Crazy Legs gained enough notoriety to get a back story and recognition on the [[TF2 Blog|TF2 Official Blog]].<ref>[https://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=3368 TF2 Blog Post: Better Late Than Never]</ref>
 +
 
 +
In [[Scream Fortress 2014]], a [[Cosmetic items|cosmetic item]] titled the [[Crazy Legs]] was added to the game. This may be a reference to this fad.
 +
 
 +
{{clr}}
 +
 
 +
[[File:Birdscout.png|thumb|right|200px|A "Bird Scout" with Crazy Legs at the top of [[Snakewater]].]]
 +
 
 +
'''Bird Scout'''{{Anchor|Bird Scout|Scout Bird}}
 +
{{Redirects here|Bird Scout|for=the hat|Batter's Beak}}
 +
 
 +
From the {{Patch name|3|28|2018}} until the {{Patch name|3|29|2018}}, Crazy Legs made a short-lived return as a result of an [[exploit]] involving the [[Atomizer]], in which a Scout could jump a theoretically infinite number of times while in [[Civilian|reference position/"Civilian" pose]] (the phenomenon being dubbed '''"Bird Scout"''' and similar variants by the community). Due to the requirement of the player being in reference position, the Crazy Legs effect was vastly more pronounced than any previous known appearance.  
 +
 
 +
A large number of players joined in on this brief fad, jumping around and occasionally traveling together in "flocks" of Bird Scouts, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKfF_9wFGCI "migrating" across the top of maps.]
 +
 
 +
{{clr}}
 +
 
 +
===Demopan===
 +
 
 +
[[File:DemopanFadFull.png|right|thumb|Original screenshot]]
 +
 
 +
{{Quotation|'''Demopan''' on hat pricing.|Stout Shako for two refined!|sound=stout_shako_for_2_refined.wav}}
 +
The '''Demopan''' fad originates from a {{tooltip|Steam User Forums Thread|Unfortunately, the original thread has since been deleted.}} titled "The New Face of TF2". The thread concerned a [[Deathcam]] screenshot of a jumping [[Demoman]] in a humorous position, equipped with the [[Frying Pan]], [[Chargin' Targe]], [[Bounty Hat]] and [[Dangeresque, Too?]], and named "STOUT SHAKO FOR 2 REFINED". As the screenshot spread, wearing the load out and stating his mantra quickly became a fad.
 +
 
 +
The character's popularity grew even further after a cutout template image of the Demopan was produced, allowing any user with basic photo editing skills to produce images of the Demopan in humorous locations and situations. Additionally, the video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbV2aM0mSXg Meet the Demopan] was produced, a parody of ''[[Meet the Demoman]]'' featuring crudely cutout images of the Demopan's face and items edited overtop of the original video, with audio being altered to change certain lines of dialogue.
  
The meme itself is a widely recognized image macro, originally spawned by a gmod screen shot of the Spy with his mouth jammed with cigerettes and entitled gentlemen , wich was then made into a crudely drawn {{W|Paint (software)|Microsoft Paint}} caricature of the of the same picure. The concept quickly exploded, and expanded to feature a version for every Team Fortress character. The basic formula for the macro is straightforward; it is a caricatured drawing of a character, with their mouth jammed full of objects that usually pertains to aspects of that character. For example, a "Gentlemen" meme of the [[Heavy]] would involve a caricature of the [[Heavy]] with his custom bullets crammed into his mouth, with the text "Bullets." underneath.  
+
A [[Team_Fortress_Wiki:April_Fools'_Day/Demopan|fake class page]] was created for the Demopan and featured on this wiki for April Fools Day 2011. It was created by wiki user [[User:Benjamuffin|Benjamoose]], and was turned into an official Team Fortress 2 Wiki article for the day.  
 +
The Demopan's popularity has also led to him appearing as a boss in both [[VS Saxton Hale Mode (custom game mode)|VS Saxton Hale Mode]] and [[Freak Fortress 2]].  
  
 +
The Demopan has a page on [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/demopan Know Your Meme].
 
<br clear="all">
 
<br clear="all">
  
=== Poor and Irish ===
 
{{see also|Gentle Manne of Leisure}}
 
[[File:GentleManne.png|right|thumb|You are as PRESUMPTUOUS as you are POOR and IRISH]]
 
The term '''Poor and Irish''' first appeared in a [http://www.teamfortress.com/classless/hidden/hats/ hidden link] of the Classless Update, as a retort by the [[Non-player characters#Gentle Manne of Leisure|Gentle Manne of Leisure]] to a hatless man. It should be noted that this hidden page introduced the phenomenon and belief that hats show a form of higher social status and class. Since then, players often use this term to describe players with no [[hats]], or owners of common hats such as the [[Ghastly Gibus]]. Players that believe they fall under the characteristics of the [[Non-player characters#Gentle Manne of Leisure|Gentle Manne of Leisure]] often refer to themselves as fellow Gentle Manne's. It's common behavior that these people commonly converse in an overly, perhaps Gothic, formal language.
 
<br clear="all">
 
  
 +
=== Community Phrases ===
 +
 +
The '''Community Phrases''' fad entered popularity around mid 2010 and has persisted ever since. The fad consists of causing characters to say phrases typically regarded as humorous or nonsensical, by performing a voice command which is cancelled part way through by either taunting, taking damage, dying or overwriting it with another voiceline.
 +
 +
Often the simplest method to perform these is to spam the same command repeatedly, as many of the more popular phrases became such due to their ease of use, allowing them to be said multiple times before the command cool down is increased, or an indefinite number if playing on a custom server where the cool down is disabled.
 +
 +
The fad's initial popularity was partially aided by the videos of Youtuber [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCASAcmeMgctPgbc_Fj2h2mQ 'Rushnerd'], which depicted various animals, commonly birds, dubbed with repeated sounds from the TF2 classes; Some featured phrases entered general popularity shortly after, including most notably "Pootis". Most have fallen out of fashion today, however there are still a number of notable examples.
 +
 +
*'''{{Anchor|Pootis}} Pootis'''
 +
 +
{{Quotation|'''The Heavy'''|'''Pootis'''-penser here.|sound=Heavy_needdispenser01.wav}}
 +
 +
:"Pootis" is a phrase derived from the [[Heavy]]'s "Dispenser Here!" [[Heavy voice commands|voice command]], and has persistently remained the most unanimously popular phrase to this day.
 +
 +
:The earliest known video to mention 'Pootis' is '[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx15kV7oHJs Pootis asks you something]' uploaded by OxiMedia on April 26th, 2010. However, the video attributed with initially popularizing the phrase is Rushnerd's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=212XqJyqsuI "Bird Fortress 2"], uploaded 2 September 2010. As evidenced by [https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&geo=US&q=pootis Google search trends], the word began to gain traction shortly after September 2010, the month of this video's release. Within the video a bird can be seen collecting sticks, saying the phrase each time one is picked up.
 +
 +
:: '''Pootis Bird'''
 +
::Due to a number of community videos, including [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDj1cXPcDBE "Scout Visits The Zoo"], which acted as their first appearance, the "Pootis Bird" has also been popularized. Previously, "Pootis Birds" were a 'TF2 Freak' of the [[Heavy]], characterized by their fast repetition of their signature phrase, their bird-like mannerisms and  their heavily deformed faces. However, due in part to more recent animations, such as [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkeLZf-r92ENYnWgwn9ULWw Magus Medic's] video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOH7k2oG4nk "Meet The Pootis Bird"], they are now more typically associated with a Heavy wearing the [[Chicken Kiev]], a bird head cosmetic which has earned the community nickname "Pootis Bird" as a result.
 +
 +
:Pootis has a page on [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/pootis Know Your Meme].
 +
 +
*'''{{Anchor|Gottam}} Gottam'''
 +
{{Quotation|'''The Engineer'''|'''Gottam'''-ove that gear up!|sound=Engineer_moveup01.wav}}
 +
 +
:"Gottam" is a phrase derived from the [[Engineer|Engi's]] "Move Up!" [[Engineer voice commands|voice command]], and has maintained some popularity, mostly within non-official servers, although waning in recent years. Its continued popularity is in part due to being related to a command with a single voiceline, meaning when spammed the player will say same line every time. Unfortunately due to the high speed at which the line is said and the length of cool down on voice commands, spamming is not fast enough to produce the phrase outside of custom servers, the number of which is steadily declining.
  
=== Saxton Hale ===
+
:"Gottam" also had its first major appearance in Rushnerd's "Bird Fortress 2".
{{Main|Saxton Hale}}
 
[[File:Yourpropertyjustgotdamagedbysaxtonhale.png|right|thumb|Saxton Hale creating "PROPERTY DAMAGE!"]]
 
'''[[Saxton Hale]]''' is a non-player character that is viewed by most community members of Team Fortress 2 as deity-like figure, often performing almost superhuman feats. His achievements in life include being the current owner, of [[Mann Co]], (after recieving it from Barnabas Hale) a popular company responsible for many of the weapons found in Team Fortress 2, being the 5th richest man of the world, and having his own line of comic books.  
 
  
Saxton Hale is frequently considered a Team Fortress 2 version of the popular {{W|Chuck Norris}} internet meme. Directly satirizing the phenomenon of Chuck Norris facts, a fansite called [http://saxtonhalefacts.net/ Saxton Hale Facts] was created, where users can submit facts about Saxton Hale and his many incredible feats.
+
*'''{{Anchor|Painis}} Painis'''
<br clear="all">
+
{{Quotation|'''The Soldier'''|'''Painis'''-weakness leaving the body!|sound=Soldier_jeers07.wav}}
  
 +
:"Painis" is a phrase derived from one of the [[Soldier]]'s "Jeers" [[Soldier voice commands|voice commands]]. The line itself has always been of great popularity in community media for its phallic resemblance, however due to the high number of voicelines related to the jeers command it cannot be performed repeatedly, reducing its use within game; saying it is still possible however.
  
 
=== Spycrab ===
 
=== Spycrab ===
[[File:Spytaunt05.PNG|right|thumb|The Spycrab]]
+
[[File:Spycrab render.png|200px|right|thumb|The Spycrab as it appears in-game]]
One of the most famous memes of TF2 is the '''Spycrab''', an animation glitch caused by looking straight up while holding the [[Disguise Kit]] and crouch walking. This causes the [[Spy]] to walk in an amusing fashion that resembles a crab. The [http://www.teamfortress.com/sniper_vs_spy/day04_english.htm Dapper Rogue catalogue] includes a "Crab-Walking Kit" with the description "It will change your skeleton! Excruciatingly painful but worth it."
+
[[File:Spytaunt05.PNG|200px|right|thumb|The Spycrab pose when taunting with the disguise kit]]
 +
{{Other uses|this=the Spy's taunt|for=the [[Cosmetic items|cosmetic item]]|Spycrab}}
 +
 
 +
One of the most well-known fads within ''Team Fortress 2'' is the '''Spycrab'''. The Spycrab is an animation oversight that occurs if the [[Spy]] looks straight up while holding the [[Disguise Kit]] and [[crouching]], then walks in any direction. Doing this will cause the Spy to move in an amusing fashion that resembles a crab. The first known videos of a player doing the Spycrab can be found [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dyQlZziHnw here] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSw9pAnMwZU here].
 +
As a result of its popularity, numerous references to the Spycrab have been included in official ''TF2'' media, such as in-game, on the [[TF2 Blog|Official TF2 Blog]] and in [[Team Fortress Comics|TF Comics]], with notable appearances listed below:
 +
 
 +
[[File:Carnival poster 003.png|200px|thumbnail|left|Spycrab carnival poster as it appears on Carnival of Carnage]]
 +
* In the [[Sniper vs. Spy Update]], the Spycrab was included as an alternative [[Spy taunts#PDA|taunt]] for the Disguise Kit, with an estimated 20% chance of playing.
 +
 
 +
* In ''[[:File:Sniper vs. Spy Update Day 4.png|Dapper Rogue]]'', a "Catalogue for the Gentleman Scoundrel" included in day 4 of the [[Sniper vs. Spy Update]], a "Crab-Walking Kit" is listed with the description "It will change your skeleton! Excruciatingly painful but worth it."
 +
 
 +
* In August of 2014, the [[Valve Store]] began stocking a Spycrab plush. Subsequently, in the {{Patch name|8|13|2014}}, a [[Cosmetic items|cosmetic]] of said plush was added, obtainable in [[Genuine]] quality by redeeming a code given out with purchase of the plush.
 +
 
 +
* In [[Carnival of Carnage]], a {{tooltip|poster|See left}} appears depicting a Spycrab, labelled "Human Crab" - "Alive!".
 +
 
 +
* In the Spy's variation of the [[Mannrobics]] taunt, one of the moves involves the Spy "pinching" the air, mimicking a crab's claws. Additionally, when performing this move the Spy may occasionally say "Aaaand Spycrab!".
 +
 
 +
* In the comic [[The Naked and the Dead]], the Spy remarks that the suits he wears are "Louis Crabbemarché" brand. Crabbemarché, {{tooltip|although potentially misspelled slightly for pronunciation,|as 'Crabe' is spelled with a single b, and 'marché' with an é is actually French for 'market'}} is considered to be a play on the French words for 'crab' and 'walk'.
 +
 
 +
The Spycrab has also inspired a number of community trends, for example a [[Crabmod|fan-made game mode]], and a form of gambling known as "Spycrabbing".
 +
"Spycrabbing" has multiple variations, however the general rule is that the first player to perform the Spycrab taunt a certain number of times will win/lose, with the winner taking all items wagered.
 +
 
 +
:'''Variations'''
 +
:A similar animation error, unofficially nicknamed by the community as the [https://i.imgur.com/0uzhGtA.jpg "Democrab"], partially derives its name from its similarity to the Spycrab. It is performed by crouch-walking while holding any [[Weapons#allmelee|all class melee weapon]], although it is more pronounced when the player is facing directly upwards. The bug causes the Demoman's left hand to twist awkwardly and to violently jerk in reaction to changes in direction.
 +
 
 +
Additionally, the Spycrab has a page on [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/spy-crab Know Your Meme].
 +
 
 +
{{clr}}
 +
 
 +
=== Friendlies ===
 +
 
 +
[[File:A friendly heavy.png|200px|thumbnail|right|An archetypal friendly [[Heavy]], or "Hoovy", ready to share his [[Sandvich]].]]
 +
 
 +
'''"Friendly"''' is a broad term concerning a group of players and their mannerisms, typically used to describe a subsection of the player base that opt to play the game in an entirely passive or social manner, refusing to fight during matches and ''attempting'' to interact peacefully with the enemy team. Friendlies are not exclusively pacifistic however; although some will freely accept being killed or farmed for [[contracts]], many will retaliate in self-defense upon being harmed.
 +
 
 +
Friendly behavior is characterized by many as continuous performance of actions with the deliberate intent of avoiding traditional gameplay, examples including repeated or continuous [[taunting]], deliberately healing enemy players, {{tooltip|''Detoothing''| Detoothing is a community term for using the Wrangler to empty a Sentry's ammo reserves, preventing it from firing}} Sentry Guns or watching combat without participating. Unsurprisingly from the nonsensical nature of friendly gameplay, many in-game community fads either fall under this definition or, in the case of ''Community Phrases'', are used frequently by these players.
 +
 
 +
Friendly players generally either spend a portion of the game attempting to reach less trafficked areas of maps, so as to avoid violent players, or run headlong into enemy territory while [[crouching]], throwing [[lunchbox]] items and equipping [[Melee]] to make themselves appear non-threatening. The latter of these is typically done in an attempt to convince likeminded players to halt their fighting and join the Friendly in whimsically messing around.
 +
 
 +
Due to their association with breaking the flow of gameplay, particularly by convincing others to do the same, Friendlies are a topic of controversy within the TF2 Community. Proponents usually support Friendlies for their alignment with the game's perceived light-hearted, casual, and "cartoony" tone, while opponents argue that Friendlies serve no purpose and frequently contribute to frustrating [[match outcomes]] (''See [[Griefing]] and [[Idling]]'').
 +
 
 +
:'''Hoovies'''
 +
:Due to thrown [[lunchbox]] items having the property of being collectable by enemy players, [[Heavy]] has become commonly associated with the friendly 'playstyle'. While the origins of the name ''Hoovy'' are unclear, [https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&geo=US&q=hoovy search trends] indicate the term originated in mid 2011, but was popularized in late 2016 by its use in the videos of Youtuber [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd534c_ehOvrLVL2v7Nl61w Muselk].
 +
:Although no particular cosmetics are required by any means, Hoovy loadouts typically aim to make the Heavy look as foolish as possible. Some of the more common cosmetics used are the [[Tough Guy's Toque]], [[All-Father]] with the Classic [[Styles|style]], [[Gift Bringer]], [[Red Army Robin]] and during [[Full Moon]] or [[Halloween]], the [[Chicken Kiev]]. Friendlies of other classes may also wear humorous cosmetics, often painted with bright, garish colors.
 +
 
 +
:Many Hoovies are also equipped with the [[Holiday Punch]] to induce laughter in enemies.
 +
 
 +
There also exists a number of [[community servers| community "Friendly Servers"]] where players spend time "messing around", often on custom maps with infinite timers and no objectives. Killing on these servers is generally either forbidden or {{tooltip|very limited| most only allowing taunt kills}}, with killing permitted servers sometimes referred to as a "Silly Servers". (''See [[Glossary of player terms#Achievement server|Achievement server]] or [[Glossary of player terms#Idle server|Idle server]]'').
 +
 
 +
===Observers/Watchers===
 +
 
 +
[[File:ObserverSpy.png|200px|thumbnail|The Observer]]
 +
 
 +
The '''Observer''', or '''Watcher''', is a TF2 fad that started in early August 2019. Echoing Classic 'TF2 Freaks', the observer is a [[Spy]] wearing a set of cosmetics that together attach a comical number of cameras to his head, and furthermore cover all skin on his body, giving the Spy a very robotic appearance.
 +
 
 +
The Observer originated from a screenshot uploaded to the TF2 subreddit on the website [[w:Reddit|Reddit]]. The post<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/tf2/comments/cl1kqg/this_guy_and_his_friend_named_the_observer_stayed/ "This guy and his friend named "the observer" stayed as cloak and dagger spies the whole game just watching people in corners"]</ref> consisted of a screenshot depicting a [[Spy]] named "The Watcher", wearing the [[Shutterbug]], [[Upgrade]] ([[Paint Can|painted]] in An Extraordinary Abundance of Tinge) and [[Camera Beard]], and holding the [[Red-Tape Recorder]]. The caption alleged that this player, along with another named "The Observer", spent the entire match using the [[Cloak and Dagger]] to hide and watch players from different areas of the map. Similarly to the Demopan, as the image of the Observer spread so did its wider popularity.
 +
 
 +
The Observer continued to grow in part due to the {{tooltip|''initially''|As a result of this fad, the community pricing of all involved items greatly increased shortly after.}} low price of all involved items, which allowed numerous players to obtain the loadout for themselves. This led the Observer to a cult-like status, even going as far as receiving an article implicating it as such from games journalism site [https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/08/05/a-cult-has-formed-around-team-fortress-2s-watchers/ Rock Paper Shotgun].
 +
{{clr}}
 +
 
 +
== Community Created Fads ==
 +
 
 +
=== nope.avi ===
 +
[[File:Nope.png|right|200px|thumb|"Nope."]]
 +
{{Quotation|'''The Engineer''' |Nope.|sound=Engineer_no01.wav}}
  
Due to its popularity, the Spycrab was included as an alternative taunt for the Disguise Kit in the [[May 21, 2009 Patch|Sniper Vs Spy Update]].
+
'''nope.avi''' (or just '''nope''') is a fad video created by YouTube user [https://www.youtube.com/user/Jimbomcb Jimbomcb] using [[w:Source_(game_engine)#Source_Filmmaker|Source Filmmaker]]. The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvdf5n-zI14 video] shows the [[BLU]] [[Engineer]] on [[Gravel Pit]] approaching the screen. As he stops, his hard hat floats up and he utters the phrase [[Media:Engineer_no01.wav|"Nope"]], followed by his neck elongating re-attaching his head to his helmet. He then promptly leaves the scene.
{{youtube|{{{1|3dyQlZziHnw}}}|width=512|ratio=16:9}}
 
  
 +
The video is frequently used in conversations as a "humorous" negative response. Instead of replying "No", a person may post a link to the video or type "nope.avi". The fad was alluded to in the Engineer blind box figurine; taking off the Engineer's head reveals the word "nope" written on his neck.
 +
 +
nope.avi has a page on [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/nopeavi Know Your Meme].
 
<br clear="all">
 
<br clear="all">
  
==YouTube memes==
+
=== Scout Face ===
 +
[[File:Derpscout.jpg|thumbnail|left|Original "Scout Face" screenshot.]]
 +
[[File:Derpscoutchat.jpg|thumbnail|Example of "Scout Face" conversation.]]
 +
 
 +
The '''Scout Face''' (also known as ''Derp Scout'') is a fad and meme created of a screenshot from a Garry’s Mod video featuring the Scout. The video, called [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqDaMSk00wA "Heavy and Scout think they are birds"] was created by YouTube user [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaiV9O_shXdLlhEZaogavLg Rubberfruit], and shows the [[RED]] Heavy flying through the air and regurgitating sandviches into the RED Scout’s mouth. Within three years, the video accumulated over 1.8 million views and 8,900 comments. However, chain commenting with YouTube profile avatar pictures, a common usage of the Scout Face image, didn’t begin until sometime in July 2011 when YouTube launched a new feature that allows user profile pictures to be displayed in the comment section.
 +
 
 +
On August 1<sup>st</sup>, 2010, a screenshot of the Scout’s face was uploaded to DeviantArt by user Jonix04, which received more than 2,100 views and 980 downloads within the next two years.
 +
 
 +
What made this a known fad and meme was the amount of YouTube profile pictures made using it. Photoshopped variations of Scout’s face have notably been used as profile avatars, particularly when chain replying in the comments section of a video page. These variations have also become Steam profile pictures for some players. These users occasionally will refer themselves as the "Scout Army".
 +
 
 +
Scout Face has a page on [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/scout-face Know Your Meme].
 +
 
 +
===== Notable variations =====
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:Derpface1.jpg|
 +
File:Derpface2.jpg|
 +
File:Derpface3.jpg|
 +
File:Derpash.jpg|
 +
File:Gottagobonk.jpg|
 +
File:Youshallnotbonk.jpg|
 +
File:Spyscout.png|
 +
File:Waldoscout.png|
 +
</gallery>
 +
{{clr}}
 +
=== Gentlemen ===
 +
[[File:Gentlemen.png|right|thumb|The original image macro.]]
 +
 
 +
{{Quotation|'''The Spy'''|Gentlemen.|sound=Spy_battlecry01.wav}}
 +
 
 +
The '''Gentlemen''' fad stems from one of the [[Spy]]'s most ubiquitous catchphrases. His calm, suave, calculating persona is encapsulated in his utterance of this simple address, followed by the careful placement of a cigarette.
 +
 
 +
The fad itself is a widely recognized image macro, originally spawned by a ''Garry's Mod'' screenshot of the Spy with his mouth jammed full of cigarettes, followed by the caption "GENTLEMEN.". It was soon remade into a cartoon caricature of the same picture. The concept quickly exploded and expanded to feature a version for every ''Team Fortress'' character. The basic formula for the macro is straightforward; it is a caricatured drawing of the character with their mouth jammed full of objects that usually pertain to aspects of that character. For example, a Gentlemen variation for the [[Heavy]] may involve a caricature of the Heavy with his custom bullets crammed into his mouth and the text "BULLETS." underneath.
  
===Voice Clip Mashups===
+
The word "Gentlemen" is also often deliberately misspelled as "Mentlegen" and accompanied by altered versions of the original Gentlemen image macro. A [[bots|bot]] can be randomly named Mentlegen as a tribute to this.
This meme consists of remixes of various songs in which the classes voice commands (for instance, Scout's [[Media:Scout_specialcompleted03.wav|"Bonk!"]]) are used to mask or mimic the aforementioned songs. Some popular examples that have caught on in the Team Fortress 2 community include [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBrFTDGjSVw "Mortal Kombonk"] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqikLf5uv4o "WAR!"].
+
 
 +
This fad has a page on [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/gentlemen Know Your Meme].
 +
<gallery perrow="9">
 +
File:Gentlemen_originalFad.png|Original screenshot from ''Garry's Mod''.
 +
File:Mentlegen.jpg|The popular corruption of Gentlemen.
 +
File:Maggots.png|Soldier's version.
 +
File:Dumbass.png|Scout's version.
 +
File:Dummkopfs.gif|Medic's version.
 +
File:Spah.jpg|Engineer's version.
 +
File:Wankers.png|Sniper's version.
 +
File:Bill.png|Bill from the Left 4 Dead series.
 +
</gallery>
 
<br clear="all">
 
<br clear="all">
  
===nope.avi===
+
=== Vagineer ===
[[File:Nope.png|right|thumb|Nope.]]
+
[[File:Vagineer_Meme.jpg|right|150px|thumb|The Vagineer.]]
Created with {{W|Source_(game_engine)#Source_Filmmaker|Source Film Maker}} by YouTube user [http://www.youtube.com/user/Jimbomcb Jimbomcb], the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvdf5n-zI14 nope.avi] meme consists of a BLU [[Engineer]] on [[Gravel Pit]] slowly approaching the screen. As he stops his hard hat floats up, he utters the phrase [[Media:Engineer_no01.wav|"nope"]] and his neck elongates before he promptly leaves.
+
 
 +
{{Quotation|'''The Vagineer'''|Grrrrrrrr.|sound=Engineer_jeers02.wav}}
 +
 
 +
The '''Vagineer''' fad originates from YouTube user [https://www.youtube.com/user/J16FOX J16fox]. He uploaded a video on December 31st, 2008, but unfortunately, the original video cannot be found. The Vagineer was created in ''Garry's Mod'' when he was playing with the "Face Poser" tool to move and distort the [[Engineer]]'s facial muscles to resemble a human vagina.
 +
 
 +
The Vagineer is depicted to have the tendency to growl quite frequently and  regrowing and firing limbs, as well as spitting acid and reverse speaking. All of his sounds are [[Engineer responses|responses]] from the Engineer, many of which having been reversed. The Vagineer is now more commonly recognized in the community-made game mode [[VS Saxton Hale Mode (custom game mode)|VS Saxton Hale]].
 +
{{clr}}
 +
 
 +
=== MeeM ===
 +
[[File:Medictarget.png|right|thumb|150px|The MeeM.]]
 +
{{Quotation|'''MeeM''' |MeeM |sound=MeemVoice.wav}}
 +
 
 +
The '''MeeM''' is a wooden [[Medic]] target (or practice target), which mostly just says "MeeM" (the [[Media:Medic_medic03.wav|"MEEEDIIIC!"]] voice command, but reversed in the middle).
 +
 
 +
The MeeM was created in Garry's Mod by the user [https://www.youtube.com/user/OluapPlayer OluapPlayer] in the video "Gentlemanly Demo's Greatest Duel" where it is relaxing with [[Demoman]], [[Engineer]], and other classes; BLU Demoman then enters and challenges RED Demoman. In the first of a series of challenges moderated by the Engineer, they are to capture the Medic target. During the chase, the target repeatedly says, "MeeM".
 +
 
 +
The MeeM became recognized by players and has made many appearances, and even became a boss in [[Freak Fortress 2]] and Slender Fortress.
 +
{{clr}}
 +
 
 +
=== Christian Brutal Sniper ===
 +
[[File:FF2_CBS.png|right|thumb|150px|Christian Brutal Sniper, as he appears in [[VS Saxton Hale Mode (custom game mode)|VS Saxton Hale Mode]]]]
 +
{{Quotation|'''Christian Brutal Sniper''' as he dismembers the BLU Medic|It's like Christmas morning...|sound=Sniper_specialweapon08.wav}}
 +
The '''Christian Brutal Sniper''' fad originated from a video made by Kekas on May 28th, 2010, in Garry's Mod, in which a RED Sniper kills a BLU Medic. At the time, the video got enough views to grant it 10 sequels.
 +
Christian was seen using a lot of different weapons, including the [[Eyelander]], [[Tribalman's Shiv]], [[Huntsman]], and many others.
 +
 
 +
'''Christian Brutal Sniper''' has also been added to the popular community game mode [[VS Saxton Hale Mode (custom game mode)|VS Saxton Hale]].
 +
{{clr}}
 +
 
 +
=== Rappy ===
 +
[[File:Rappy.png|right|thumb|180px|Rappy]]
 +
{{Quotation|'''Rappy''''s catchphrase|See.|sound=RappyVoice.wav}}
 +
'''Rappy''' is a Velociraptor wearing a RED [[Carouser's Capotain]]. He first appeared in [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhKW66JLwiY a Gmod video] named "THAT DEMO". The only phrase Rappy ever says is "SEE" (often spelled as "ci") using the Demoman's voice. His constant companion is a Demoman.
 +
{{clr}}
 +
 
 +
=== {{botignore|engineer}} gaming ===
 +
[[File:Engineer gaming.png|right|thumb|250px|Original Twitter post.]]
 +
{{Quotation|'''The Engineer'''|Engineer gaming|sound=Engineer_gaming_sound_effect.mp3}}
 +
The '''{{botignore|engineer}} gaming''' meme originated from a Twitter post by user Buggy_Evans, featuring an edited screenshot of a BLU [[Engineer]] with an Australium [[Wrench]]. It also features the player's name and avatar taken from the scoreboard, a chat message, and the in-game Engineer, all being the phrase "engineer gaming". Over 9 months it spread across various Team Fortress 2-related communities. This meme would be generalized to other classes and characters.
 +
 
 +
In addition to the original meme, several [[voice actors]] have recreated the meme with characters they voice.
 +
 
 +
The original meme has a page on [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/engineer-gaming Know Your Meme].
 +
{{clr}}
  
nope.avi is frequently used in conversations as a humorous negative response. Instead of replying no, instead the person may post a link to the video or type "nope.avi".
+
=== Search for the Sandvich ===
 +
{{Quotation|'''The Spy''' after learning of the disappearance of the [[Sandvich]].|Your precious sandvich won't save you ''now'', fatty!|sound=Spy DominationHeavy06.wav}}
 +
The ''Search for the Sandvich'' is a series of videos created by the Medic's voice actor, Robin Atkin Downes and Demoman/Heavy's voice actor, Gary Schwartz. Since the start, the voice actors for the Administrator (Ellen McLain), Pyro and Spy (Dennis Bateman), and Sniper (John Patrick Lowrie) have participated in several videos. The videos mainly consists of the voice actors looking for the Sandvich in various places while speaking in their ''Team Fortress 2'' voices; while most of the voice actors improvise their lines, Ellen McLain usually says a random [[Administrator responses|Administrator voice line]]. The series also features several references to ''[[w:Twin Peaks|Twin Peaks]]''.
  
Several parodies of the meme exist, consisting of other characters uttering a phrase before a drastic physical transformation takes place.
+
The Search for the Sandvich started off at [[w:PAX (event)|PAX West 2022]], with Downes tweeting out a [https://twitter.com/Robin_A_Downes/status/1566522394298449920 video] of Schwartz, Lowrie, McLain, and himself looking for the Sandvich in a [[w:Delicatessen|deli]]. A few days later, Lowrie would tweet out a [https://twitter.com/johnpatricklowr/status/1567374636844994564 video] of him in a car with McLain passing by a sign advertising [[w:Schnitzel|Schnitzel]] while explaining they need to find something that the Medic would also want to eat.
<br clear="all">
+
 
 +
After a while, Downes posted another [https://twitter.com/Robin_A_Downes/status/1569176182704455681 video] of himself entering a store asking if they have any Sandviches, but gets distracted by a product labelled ''[[w:Oktoberfest|Oktoberfest]]''.
  
===Scout is Delicious===
+
The next [https://twitter.com/johnpatricklowr/status/1569397857282846720 video] in the series features Sniper sneaking up on a table to catch what he thinks is the Sandvich. Upon closer inspection, the Sandvich turns out to be a [[w:Pain au chocolat|pain au chocolat]]. The Sniper then turns around to hear the disturbing announcement of Overtime and proceeds to eat the chocolate bread.
[[File:Scout is delicious.jpg|right|thumb|Scout is delicious!]]
 
 
A meme initially spawned with the creation of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgXQw9I8Fic ARMaster's short two second YouTube video] depicting a [[Heavy]] eating a [[Scout]] whose head is replaced with a [[Sandvich]]. Its popularity resulted in thousands of responses parodying the original. Following the trend of many other popular Youtube Team Fortress 2 {{W|Machinima}}, the Heavy had two separate lines of dialogue crossed to form the phrase [[Media:Scout_is_delicious.wav|"Scout is delicious."]]
 
<br clear="all">
 
  
===Painis Cupcake===
+
The next [https://twitter.com/johnpatricklowr/status/1571629882572148736 installment] takes place in the town of Twin Peaks. After the Demoman and Sniper exchange insults and a short mission briefing by the Administrator, they enter a bakery where they meet a [https://twitter.com/GigglingSecret1 giggling secretary] and try to order a Sandvich. At this point, they realise they've lost the Medic which seems to emotionally distress the Heavy. Meanwhile, Medic posts a [https://twitter.com/Robin_A_Downes/status/1572330304848957442 video] of him browsing his [https://www.teamfortress.com/ favourite website] and reacting to them in "Twin Pea". This video features a short cameo of [[Non-player characters#Archimedes|Archimedes]].
[[File:Painis.png|thumb|right|Painis Cupcake devours one of his victims.]]
 
  
Created by [http://www.youtube.com/user/rubberfruit RubberFruit], this meme involves a crazed Soldier named Painis Cupcake. Often seen crawling on the ground, a demented looking Painis Cupcake introduces himself with the phrase "I am Painis Cupcake. I will eat you", followed by a devilish grin. After his introduction, he promptly devoures his victims violently. His first appearance can be found [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBuggMdUbog here].
+
[https://twitter.com/johnpatricklowr/status/1575628205636997120 Next up], the Sniper and Administrator lose the rest of the group while visiting the [[w:The Stanley Hotel|Stanley Hotel]]. He asks a cashier if she has seen the Medic and discovers he is a day late to free sandwich day. The Administrator announces an odd mission to defend the robot as well as the enemy team receiving additional time.
<br clear="all">
 
  
===Vagineer===
+
After this, the Medic [https://twitter.com/Robin_A_Downes/status/1576342819945398272 appears] to be lost in a desert and hallucinating, with a rock, Archimedes, and a bush talking to him. Meanwhile, the Heavy [https://twitter.com/GarySchwartz14/status/1577800816681160705 talks to Archimedes].
[[File:Vagineer.jpg|right|thumb|The Vagineer]]
 
A meme initially spawned with the creation of [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDm9DlqmyQo J16FOX YouTube video], the '''Vagineer''' is a deformed Engineer with heavily distorted facial expressions, giving his face the appearance of being a vagina.
 
  
Vagineer's speech consists of reversed and distorted Engineer voice lines, and is usually seen [[Media:Engineer_jeers02.wav|grunting]] at other characters. He has a large arsenal of attacks, including telekinesis and self deformation, and even launching its limbs (sometimes attached by a rope so it can extend back to its orignal state) like rockets. He is also capable of regenerating body parts and turning other people into "Vagi" versions of their characters.
+
An appropriately-dressed Sniper then tweets a [https://twitter.com/johnpatricklowr/status/1581418485036781568 video] of them being reunited and trying their luck out at sea. In the video, the actors run towards the boat's canteen, but not before Spy pretends to be in the [[w:Titanic (1997 film)|''Titanic'' film]]. On their way to the canteen, they are distracted by the giggling secretary reading a book. As she walks off, Sniper discovers a mostly-eaten sandwich on a plate as the rest of the cast reacts in horror, and the Payload nears a checkpoint.
  
Vagineer is viewed as a demigod-like monster, rarely being defeated by anyone. In the case of his death he usually regenerates and retaliates, often violently.
+
After the Medic falls asleep in the desert, he [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euWvKQpzo9g wakes up] in the jungle. After trying to use a "mind meld" to contact the others, he manages to talk to the Sniper who gives encouraging words, Heavy who attempts to warn of a phony Heavy, and the Administrator who warns of the enemy team taking the intelligence. Once the mind meld ends, [[Merasmus]] comes in to tell the Medic that he will never find the Sandvich, as the Sandvich (much like Merasmus) is wanted by the Chinese and Russian mafia as well the [[w:Yakuza|Yakuza]] and is gone forever.
  
He also seems to be Snyphurr's master, summoning him by using his extendable tongue to obtain a Buff Banner bugle then playing it.
+
Sniper then [https://twitter.com/johnpatricklowr/status/1586560639216267265 appears] in an amusement park where he finds the Medic stuck in quicksand, while the Administrator announces the start of the mission and counts down and the Medic disappears again. Afterwards, Medic has been [https://twitter.com/Robin_A_Downes/status/1587177965330509824 transported] to a small room in a large building and meets a mysterious figure that asks about the mind meld.
  
As a slight nod, the [[VS Saxton Hale Mod]], has a chance that the player chosen to become Saxton Hale will instead become a BLU Vagineer, with matching voice clips.
+
The rest of the mercs [https://twitter.com/johnpatricklowr/status/1589506442750746626 visit] a crystal palace of hell posing as a public library where they discover a group of evil people on their evil computers and meet up with the giggling secretary from earlier, who tells the mercs to focus on C.R.U.S.T. (Colossal Repository of Unused STrategems). As the point becomes available for capture and the Spy explains the acronym, the secretary explains they are after the mind meld. The teams are scrambled.
<br clear="all">
 
  
===-gineer/-neer===
+
The next [https://twitter.com/Robin_A_Downes/status/1591863648804569090 video] features a mind meld between the Medic and Heavy. The Heavy tells Medic three codes to help him escape and tells him to visit C.R.U.S.T. and get a certain book. Using these codes, the Medic [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wL0xtgDwUQ escapes] and visits the library to pick up a book written by Gary Schwartz. After taking the book, the Medic steals a motorcycle with Archimedes on it and escapes.
[[File:Paintraingineer.PNG|thumb|right|Various -neers]]
 
  
Created by [[User:OluapPlayer|<span class="adm">OluapPlayer</span>]] ([http://www.youtube.com/user/OluapPlayer Youtube channel]), this meme involves the Engineer with the head of another class or an item. The characters name is constructed from the characters choice of head with an "gineer" or "neer" appended on the end. The meme originated from [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0GVVtsDRKs this video].
+
[https://twitter.com/johnpatricklowr/status/1597408189225762817 Meanwhile], the rest of the cast is on a subway reading John Patrick Lowrie's ''Dancing with Eternity'' trying to make a plan to catch up with the Medic. They meet up with the secretary, who reveals she is a super top secret agent of L.U.N.C.H.M.E.A.T. (League of Urgently Needed Cohorts, Harangues, and Metrically-Enhanced Algorithmic Tacticians). The mercs obtain one sweet ride in the form of a [[w:Toyota Corolla|2008 Toyota Corolla]] and drive off to find the Medic.
  
Popular variations include '''Paintraingineer''', '''Spyneer''' and '''Demoneer''', all shown to the right.
+
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wL0xtgDwUQ Later], a hallucinating Medic contacts the mercenaries via videocall, informing them Archimedes requires the mind meld to power a new teleportation device sought by C.R.U.S.T., and urges them to make their way to the Ancient Tower of No Refunds to retrieve the apparatus, much to the cast's reluctance. Time has been added. The group makes their way to the ominous tower, climbing their way to the top as they fend off attacks by bread crusts. Upon reaching the last floor, they discover one sweet apparatus under the form of a 2001 Cuisinart Toaster.
<br clear="all">
 
  
===Odd Scout===
+
Despite all of this, the Sandvich is still nowhere to be found, but L.U.N.C.H.M.E.A.T. have gotten reports of Sandvich sightings in South America, and [https://twitter.com/johnpatricklowr/status/1634302894743916545 sends the Sniper] on a covert operation to Lima, Peru to investigate, accompanied by the Administrator who stares at them creepily. After blending in using an ingenious disguise, the Sniper starts asking the locals about the Sandvich, but to mixed results due to his struggles with the Spanish language. Eventually, the Sniper manages to form a coherent question and asks various attendees at a convention before climbing on stage to ask the entire crowd at once. The Sniper boasts about his "covert" operation to the L.U.N.C.H.M.E.A.T. agent, exasperated by the lack of understanding of ''covert'' by the Sniper.
[[File:Oddscout.jpg|right|thumb|The Odd Scout in motion.]]
 
Created by [http://www.youtube.com/user/dudeguy707 dudeguy707] in {{W|Source_(game_engine)#Source_Filmmaker|Source Filmmaker}}, The Odd Scout first appears in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HxlrXPSnjA this video] and is a severely deformed Scout with elongated limbs and an apparently broken neck. The Odd Scout says nothing, and instead patrols 2Fort, while the soundtrack called Item Room Ambience from Nintendo's [http://metroid.wikia.com/wiki/Super_Metroid Super Metroid] plays. There are 3 episodes of Odd Scout thus far, the first simply shows a RED Odd Scout crossing the 2Fort bridge, the second episode shows the RED Odd Scout encountering a BLU Scout and "oddifying" him, and the third shows both Odd Scouts encountering a RED Medic, twisting his neck around and causing him to explode merely by staring at him. Parallels between Odd Scout and both the horror manga [http://brasscockroach.com/h4ll0w33n2007/manga/Amigara-Full/Amigara.html Enigma of the Amigara Fault] and the [http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/slender-man Slenderman] meme have been drawn by fans, and the Odd Scout is often regarded as a surreal or even horror meme.
 
  
===Soupcrock Porkpie===
+
[https://twitter.com/johnpatricklowr/status/1643300557933924358 Some time later], the Spy lounges alone in a lonely bar where he delivers a soul-searching soliloquy filled with existential angst - or so he thought as he is disturbed by the mercs, sitting at the other side of the table, all chaotically ordering from the waitress while they are urged to defend the Payload, much to the grievance of the Spy.
  
Created by superworldofgmod, A Painis Cupcakian character of the Demoman subvariety, Soupcrock Porkpie makes a continuous burping noise whenever he moves, and spins around while floating in air. He lives inside a bottle of scrumpy, and whenever he confronts someone, he tells them he is Soupcrock Porkpie, and that he is going to glue them. He also has a cat that lives inside his throat, that is equally as or more dangerous then he is. Origin video here.
+
[https://twitter.com/robin_a_downes/status/1641471375725719552?s=61&t=ZSJo7ndWWkX6l_YuzAYvpg Meanwhile], an unknown crow casually tells the Medic via telepathic connection, as to not be heard by C.R.U.S.T, that he must make his way to Boston to reunite with the other mercenaries waiting for him at the Boston Convention Center. The cast eagerly awaits the Medic as the mission fails. The latter eventually appears, ensued by a warm reunion with the Heavy who grabs him in a tight hug. The two reunite in a bar where they share laughs and drinks, before the Heavy melts in tears, overflowed with emotion.
  
 +
<!-- Please do not add more yet, if you want to continue adding please add it commented out to avoid the section getting too long. See talk page for discussion -->
  
<br clear="all">
+
==References==
 +
<references/>
  
{{Languages}}
 
 
[[Category:Glossary]]
 
[[Category:Glossary]]
 
[[Category:Memes]]
 
[[Category:Memes]]

Latest revision as of 11:21, 25 October 2024

"Memes" redirects here. You may have been looking for Operation Memes vs Machines.
Demopan
Gentlemen.
The Spy

Community fads are fads that circulate or originate throughout the Team Fortress 2 community. A fad is, by definition, "any form of behavior that develops among a large population and is collectively followed with enthusiasm for some period..."[1] Some of the most frequently used mediums to create Team Fortress 2 fads include not only Team Fortress 2 itself, but also Garry's Mod and Source Filmmaker.

Some of the more well-known fads have gone on to become internet memes, which are defined as, "ideas or concepts that attain online popularity."[2]

Fads Found In-Game

Crazy Legs

"Hey, look at me, Ma!"

The Crazy Legs phenomenon has existed for at least as long as Team Fortress 2 has been public. Crazy Legs exists as a bug that affects the Scout's legs when crouching and double jumping in unison, rotating them randomly with no regard for the direction of the Scouts pelvis or knees. The resulting deformity has also been compared to "two raw bacon strips held up in a wind tunnel" and as a result, Crazy Legs is also referred to as Bacon Legs. The effect is visible in third-person, and is vastly likelier to occur when in reference position.

Officially, the bug is fixed, and has been since the January 13, 2010 Patch. However, the bug is still present in some form, with the effects being significantly less obvious than they were before the fix. Occasionally, the phenomenon has been seen by players as severe as before it was claimed to be fixed.

Crazy Legs gained enough notoriety to get a back story and recognition on the TF2 Official Blog.[3]

In Scream Fortress 2014, a cosmetic item titled the Crazy Legs was added to the game. This may be a reference to this fad.

A "Bird Scout" with Crazy Legs at the top of Snakewater.

Bird Scout

"Bird Scout" redirects here. For the hat, see Batter's Beak.

From the March 28, 2018 Patch until the March 29, 2018 Patch, Crazy Legs made a short-lived return as a result of an exploit involving the Atomizer, in which a Scout could jump a theoretically infinite number of times while in reference position/"Civilian" pose (the phenomenon being dubbed "Bird Scout" and similar variants by the community). Due to the requirement of the player being in reference position, the Crazy Legs effect was vastly more pronounced than any previous known appearance.

A large number of players joined in on this brief fad, jumping around and occasionally traveling together in "flocks" of Bird Scouts, "migrating" across the top of maps.

Demopan

Original screenshot
Stout Shako for two refined!
Demopan on hat pricing.

The Demopan fad originates from a Steam User Forums Thread titled "The New Face of TF2". The thread concerned a Deathcam screenshot of a jumping Demoman in a humorous position, equipped with the Frying Pan, Chargin' Targe, Bounty Hat and Dangeresque, Too?, and named "STOUT SHAKO FOR 2 REFINED". As the screenshot spread, wearing the load out and stating his mantra quickly became a fad.

The character's popularity grew even further after a cutout template image of the Demopan was produced, allowing any user with basic photo editing skills to produce images of the Demopan in humorous locations and situations. Additionally, the video Meet the Demopan was produced, a parody of Meet the Demoman featuring crudely cutout images of the Demopan's face and items edited overtop of the original video, with audio being altered to change certain lines of dialogue.

A fake class page was created for the Demopan and featured on this wiki for April Fools Day 2011. It was created by wiki user Benjamoose, and was turned into an official Team Fortress 2 Wiki article for the day. The Demopan's popularity has also led to him appearing as a boss in both VS Saxton Hale Mode and Freak Fortress 2.

The Demopan has a page on Know Your Meme.


Community Phrases

The Community Phrases fad entered popularity around mid 2010 and has persisted ever since. The fad consists of causing characters to say phrases typically regarded as humorous or nonsensical, by performing a voice command which is cancelled part way through by either taunting, taking damage, dying or overwriting it with another voiceline.

Often the simplest method to perform these is to spam the same command repeatedly, as many of the more popular phrases became such due to their ease of use, allowing them to be said multiple times before the command cool down is increased, or an indefinite number if playing on a custom server where the cool down is disabled.

The fad's initial popularity was partially aided by the videos of Youtuber 'Rushnerd', which depicted various animals, commonly birds, dubbed with repeated sounds from the TF2 classes; Some featured phrases entered general popularity shortly after, including most notably "Pootis". Most have fallen out of fashion today, however there are still a number of notable examples.

  • Pootis
Pootis-penser here.
The Heavy
"Pootis" is a phrase derived from the Heavy's "Dispenser Here!" voice command, and has persistently remained the most unanimously popular phrase to this day.
The earliest known video to mention 'Pootis' is 'Pootis asks you something' uploaded by OxiMedia on April 26th, 2010. However, the video attributed with initially popularizing the phrase is Rushnerd's "Bird Fortress 2", uploaded 2 September 2010. As evidenced by Google search trends, the word began to gain traction shortly after September 2010, the month of this video's release. Within the video a bird can be seen collecting sticks, saying the phrase each time one is picked up.
Pootis Bird
Due to a number of community videos, including "Scout Visits The Zoo", which acted as their first appearance, the "Pootis Bird" has also been popularized. Previously, "Pootis Birds" were a 'TF2 Freak' of the Heavy, characterized by their fast repetition of their signature phrase, their bird-like mannerisms and their heavily deformed faces. However, due in part to more recent animations, such as Magus Medic's video "Meet The Pootis Bird", they are now more typically associated with a Heavy wearing the Chicken Kiev, a bird head cosmetic which has earned the community nickname "Pootis Bird" as a result.
Pootis has a page on Know Your Meme.
  • Gottam
Gottam-ove that gear up!
The Engineer
"Gottam" is a phrase derived from the Engi's "Move Up!" voice command, and has maintained some popularity, mostly within non-official servers, although waning in recent years. Its continued popularity is in part due to being related to a command with a single voiceline, meaning when spammed the player will say same line every time. Unfortunately due to the high speed at which the line is said and the length of cool down on voice commands, spamming is not fast enough to produce the phrase outside of custom servers, the number of which is steadily declining.
"Gottam" also had its first major appearance in Rushnerd's "Bird Fortress 2".
  • Painis
Painis-weakness leaving the body!
The Soldier
"Painis" is a phrase derived from one of the Soldier's "Jeers" voice commands. The line itself has always been of great popularity in community media for its phallic resemblance, however due to the high number of voicelines related to the jeers command it cannot be performed repeatedly, reducing its use within game; saying it is still possible however.

Spycrab

The Spycrab as it appears in-game
The Spycrab pose when taunting with the disguise kit
This article is about the Spy's taunt. For the cosmetic item, see Spycrab.

One of the most well-known fads within Team Fortress 2 is the Spycrab. The Spycrab is an animation oversight that occurs if the Spy looks straight up while holding the Disguise Kit and crouching, then walks in any direction. Doing this will cause the Spy to move in an amusing fashion that resembles a crab. The first known videos of a player doing the Spycrab can be found here and here. As a result of its popularity, numerous references to the Spycrab have been included in official TF2 media, such as in-game, on the Official TF2 Blog and in TF Comics, with notable appearances listed below:

Spycrab carnival poster as it appears on Carnival of Carnage
  • In the Sniper vs. Spy Update, the Spycrab was included as an alternative taunt for the Disguise Kit, with an estimated 20% chance of playing.
  • In Dapper Rogue, a "Catalogue for the Gentleman Scoundrel" included in day 4 of the Sniper vs. Spy Update, a "Crab-Walking Kit" is listed with the description "It will change your skeleton! Excruciatingly painful but worth it."
  • In Carnival of Carnage, a poster appears depicting a Spycrab, labelled "Human Crab" - "Alive!".
  • In the Spy's variation of the Mannrobics taunt, one of the moves involves the Spy "pinching" the air, mimicking a crab's claws. Additionally, when performing this move the Spy may occasionally say "Aaaand Spycrab!".
  • In the comic The Naked and the Dead, the Spy remarks that the suits he wears are "Louis Crabbemarché" brand. Crabbemarché, although potentially misspelled slightly for pronunciation, is considered to be a play on the French words for 'crab' and 'walk'.

The Spycrab has also inspired a number of community trends, for example a fan-made game mode, and a form of gambling known as "Spycrabbing". "Spycrabbing" has multiple variations, however the general rule is that the first player to perform the Spycrab taunt a certain number of times will win/lose, with the winner taking all items wagered.

Variations
A similar animation error, unofficially nicknamed by the community as the "Democrab", partially derives its name from its similarity to the Spycrab. It is performed by crouch-walking while holding any all class melee weapon, although it is more pronounced when the player is facing directly upwards. The bug causes the Demoman's left hand to twist awkwardly and to violently jerk in reaction to changes in direction.

Additionally, the Spycrab has a page on Know Your Meme.

Friendlies

An archetypal friendly Heavy, or "Hoovy", ready to share his Sandvich.

"Friendly" is a broad term concerning a group of players and their mannerisms, typically used to describe a subsection of the player base that opt to play the game in an entirely passive or social manner, refusing to fight during matches and attempting to interact peacefully with the enemy team. Friendlies are not exclusively pacifistic however; although some will freely accept being killed or farmed for contracts, many will retaliate in self-defense upon being harmed.

Friendly behavior is characterized by many as continuous performance of actions with the deliberate intent of avoiding traditional gameplay, examples including repeated or continuous taunting, deliberately healing enemy players, Detoothing Sentry Guns or watching combat without participating. Unsurprisingly from the nonsensical nature of friendly gameplay, many in-game community fads either fall under this definition or, in the case of Community Phrases, are used frequently by these players.

Friendly players generally either spend a portion of the game attempting to reach less trafficked areas of maps, so as to avoid violent players, or run headlong into enemy territory while crouching, throwing lunchbox items and equipping Melee to make themselves appear non-threatening. The latter of these is typically done in an attempt to convince likeminded players to halt their fighting and join the Friendly in whimsically messing around.

Due to their association with breaking the flow of gameplay, particularly by convincing others to do the same, Friendlies are a topic of controversy within the TF2 Community. Proponents usually support Friendlies for their alignment with the game's perceived light-hearted, casual, and "cartoony" tone, while opponents argue that Friendlies serve no purpose and frequently contribute to frustrating match outcomes (See Griefing and Idling).

Hoovies
Due to thrown lunchbox items having the property of being collectable by enemy players, Heavy has become commonly associated with the friendly 'playstyle'. While the origins of the name Hoovy are unclear, search trends indicate the term originated in mid 2011, but was popularized in late 2016 by its use in the videos of Youtuber Muselk.
Although no particular cosmetics are required by any means, Hoovy loadouts typically aim to make the Heavy look as foolish as possible. Some of the more common cosmetics used are the Tough Guy's Toque, All-Father with the Classic style, Gift Bringer, Red Army Robin and during Full Moon or Halloween, the Chicken Kiev. Friendlies of other classes may also wear humorous cosmetics, often painted with bright, garish colors.
Many Hoovies are also equipped with the Holiday Punch to induce laughter in enemies.

There also exists a number of community "Friendly Servers" where players spend time "messing around", often on custom maps with infinite timers and no objectives. Killing on these servers is generally either forbidden or very limited, with killing permitted servers sometimes referred to as a "Silly Servers". (See Achievement server or Idle server).

Observers/Watchers

The Observer

The Observer, or Watcher, is a TF2 fad that started in early August 2019. Echoing Classic 'TF2 Freaks', the observer is a Spy wearing a set of cosmetics that together attach a comical number of cameras to his head, and furthermore cover all skin on his body, giving the Spy a very robotic appearance.

The Observer originated from a screenshot uploaded to the TF2 subreddit on the website Reddit. The post[4] consisted of a screenshot depicting a Spy named "The Watcher", wearing the Shutterbug, Upgrade (painted in An Extraordinary Abundance of Tinge) and Camera Beard, and holding the Red-Tape Recorder. The caption alleged that this player, along with another named "The Observer", spent the entire match using the Cloak and Dagger to hide and watch players from different areas of the map. Similarly to the Demopan, as the image of the Observer spread so did its wider popularity.

The Observer continued to grow in part due to the initially low price of all involved items, which allowed numerous players to obtain the loadout for themselves. This led the Observer to a cult-like status, even going as far as receiving an article implicating it as such from games journalism site Rock Paper Shotgun.

Community Created Fads

nope.avi

"Nope."
Nope.
The Engineer

nope.avi (or just nope) is a fad video created by YouTube user Jimbomcb using Source Filmmaker. The video shows the BLU Engineer on Gravel Pit approaching the screen. As he stops, his hard hat floats up and he utters the phrase "Nope", followed by his neck elongating re-attaching his head to his helmet. He then promptly leaves the scene.

The video is frequently used in conversations as a "humorous" negative response. Instead of replying "No", a person may post a link to the video or type "nope.avi". The fad was alluded to in the Engineer blind box figurine; taking off the Engineer's head reveals the word "nope" written on his neck.

nope.avi has a page on Know Your Meme.

Scout Face

Original "Scout Face" screenshot.
Example of "Scout Face" conversation.

The Scout Face (also known as Derp Scout) is a fad and meme created of a screenshot from a Garry’s Mod video featuring the Scout. The video, called "Heavy and Scout think they are birds" was created by YouTube user Rubberfruit, and shows the RED Heavy flying through the air and regurgitating sandviches into the RED Scout’s mouth. Within three years, the video accumulated over 1.8 million views and 8,900 comments. However, chain commenting with YouTube profile avatar pictures, a common usage of the Scout Face image, didn’t begin until sometime in July 2011 when YouTube launched a new feature that allows user profile pictures to be displayed in the comment section.

On August 1st, 2010, a screenshot of the Scout’s face was uploaded to DeviantArt by user Jonix04, which received more than 2,100 views and 980 downloads within the next two years.

What made this a known fad and meme was the amount of YouTube profile pictures made using it. Photoshopped variations of Scout’s face have notably been used as profile avatars, particularly when chain replying in the comments section of a video page. These variations have also become Steam profile pictures for some players. These users occasionally will refer themselves as the "Scout Army".

Scout Face has a page on Know Your Meme.

Notable variations

Gentlemen

The original image macro.
Gentlemen.
The Spy

The Gentlemen fad stems from one of the Spy's most ubiquitous catchphrases. His calm, suave, calculating persona is encapsulated in his utterance of this simple address, followed by the careful placement of a cigarette.

The fad itself is a widely recognized image macro, originally spawned by a Garry's Mod screenshot of the Spy with his mouth jammed full of cigarettes, followed by the caption "GENTLEMEN.". It was soon remade into a cartoon caricature of the same picture. The concept quickly exploded and expanded to feature a version for every Team Fortress character. The basic formula for the macro is straightforward; it is a caricatured drawing of the character with their mouth jammed full of objects that usually pertain to aspects of that character. For example, a Gentlemen variation for the Heavy may involve a caricature of the Heavy with his custom bullets crammed into his mouth and the text "BULLETS." underneath.

The word "Gentlemen" is also often deliberately misspelled as "Mentlegen" and accompanied by altered versions of the original Gentlemen image macro. A bot can be randomly named Mentlegen as a tribute to this.

This fad has a page on Know Your Meme.


Vagineer

The Vagineer.
Grrrrrrrr.
The Vagineer

The Vagineer fad originates from YouTube user J16fox. He uploaded a video on December 31st, 2008, but unfortunately, the original video cannot be found. The Vagineer was created in Garry's Mod when he was playing with the "Face Poser" tool to move and distort the Engineer's facial muscles to resemble a human vagina.

The Vagineer is depicted to have the tendency to growl quite frequently and regrowing and firing limbs, as well as spitting acid and reverse speaking. All of his sounds are responses from the Engineer, many of which having been reversed. The Vagineer is now more commonly recognized in the community-made game mode VS Saxton Hale.

MeeM

The MeeM.
MeeM
MeeM

The MeeM is a wooden Medic target (or practice target), which mostly just says "MeeM" (the "MEEEDIIIC!" voice command, but reversed in the middle).

The MeeM was created in Garry's Mod by the user OluapPlayer in the video "Gentlemanly Demo's Greatest Duel" where it is relaxing with Demoman, Engineer, and other classes; BLU Demoman then enters and challenges RED Demoman. In the first of a series of challenges moderated by the Engineer, they are to capture the Medic target. During the chase, the target repeatedly says, "MeeM".

The MeeM became recognized by players and has made many appearances, and even became a boss in Freak Fortress 2 and Slender Fortress.

Christian Brutal Sniper

Christian Brutal Sniper, as he appears in VS Saxton Hale Mode
It's like Christmas morning...
Christian Brutal Sniper as he dismembers the BLU Medic

The Christian Brutal Sniper fad originated from a video made by Kekas on May 28th, 2010, in Garry's Mod, in which a RED Sniper kills a BLU Medic. At the time, the video got enough views to grant it 10 sequels. Christian was seen using a lot of different weapons, including the Eyelander, Tribalman's Shiv, Huntsman, and many others.

Christian Brutal Sniper has also been added to the popular community game mode VS Saxton Hale.

Rappy

Rappy
See.
Rappy's catchphrase

Rappy is a Velociraptor wearing a RED Carouser's Capotain. He first appeared in a Gmod video named "THAT DEMO". The only phrase Rappy ever says is "SEE" (often spelled as "ci") using the Demoman's voice. His constant companion is a Demoman.

engineer gaming

Original Twitter post.
Engineer gaming
The Engineer

The engineer gaming meme originated from a Twitter post by user Buggy_Evans, featuring an edited screenshot of a BLU Engineer with an Australium Wrench. It also features the player's name and avatar taken from the scoreboard, a chat message, and the in-game Engineer, all being the phrase "engineer gaming". Over 9 months it spread across various Team Fortress 2-related communities. This meme would be generalized to other classes and characters.

In addition to the original meme, several voice actors have recreated the meme with characters they voice.

The original meme has a page on Know Your Meme.

Search for the Sandvich

Your precious sandvich won't save you now, fatty!
The Spy after learning of the disappearance of the Sandvich.

The Search for the Sandvich is a series of videos created by the Medic's voice actor, Robin Atkin Downes and Demoman/Heavy's voice actor, Gary Schwartz. Since the start, the voice actors for the Administrator (Ellen McLain), Pyro and Spy (Dennis Bateman), and Sniper (John Patrick Lowrie) have participated in several videos. The videos mainly consists of the voice actors looking for the Sandvich in various places while speaking in their Team Fortress 2 voices; while most of the voice actors improvise their lines, Ellen McLain usually says a random Administrator voice line. The series also features several references to Twin Peaks.

The Search for the Sandvich started off at PAX West 2022, with Downes tweeting out a video of Schwartz, Lowrie, McLain, and himself looking for the Sandvich in a deli. A few days later, Lowrie would tweet out a video of him in a car with McLain passing by a sign advertising Schnitzel while explaining they need to find something that the Medic would also want to eat.

After a while, Downes posted another video of himself entering a store asking if they have any Sandviches, but gets distracted by a product labelled Oktoberfest.

The next video in the series features Sniper sneaking up on a table to catch what he thinks is the Sandvich. Upon closer inspection, the Sandvich turns out to be a pain au chocolat. The Sniper then turns around to hear the disturbing announcement of Overtime and proceeds to eat the chocolate bread.

The next installment takes place in the town of Twin Peaks. After the Demoman and Sniper exchange insults and a short mission briefing by the Administrator, they enter a bakery where they meet a giggling secretary and try to order a Sandvich. At this point, they realise they've lost the Medic which seems to emotionally distress the Heavy. Meanwhile, Medic posts a video of him browsing his favourite website and reacting to them in "Twin Pea". This video features a short cameo of Archimedes.

Next up, the Sniper and Administrator lose the rest of the group while visiting the Stanley Hotel. He asks a cashier if she has seen the Medic and discovers he is a day late to free sandwich day. The Administrator announces an odd mission to defend the robot as well as the enemy team receiving additional time.

After this, the Medic appears to be lost in a desert and hallucinating, with a rock, Archimedes, and a bush talking to him. Meanwhile, the Heavy talks to Archimedes.

An appropriately-dressed Sniper then tweets a video of them being reunited and trying their luck out at sea. In the video, the actors run towards the boat's canteen, but not before Spy pretends to be in the Titanic film. On their way to the canteen, they are distracted by the giggling secretary reading a book. As she walks off, Sniper discovers a mostly-eaten sandwich on a plate as the rest of the cast reacts in horror, and the Payload nears a checkpoint.

After the Medic falls asleep in the desert, he wakes up in the jungle. After trying to use a "mind meld" to contact the others, he manages to talk to the Sniper who gives encouraging words, Heavy who attempts to warn of a phony Heavy, and the Administrator who warns of the enemy team taking the intelligence. Once the mind meld ends, Merasmus comes in to tell the Medic that he will never find the Sandvich, as the Sandvich (much like Merasmus) is wanted by the Chinese and Russian mafia as well the Yakuza and is gone forever.

Sniper then appears in an amusement park where he finds the Medic stuck in quicksand, while the Administrator announces the start of the mission and counts down and the Medic disappears again. Afterwards, Medic has been transported to a small room in a large building and meets a mysterious figure that asks about the mind meld.

The rest of the mercs visit a crystal palace of hell posing as a public library where they discover a group of evil people on their evil computers and meet up with the giggling secretary from earlier, who tells the mercs to focus on C.R.U.S.T. (Colossal Repository of Unused STrategems). As the point becomes available for capture and the Spy explains the acronym, the secretary explains they are after the mind meld. The teams are scrambled.

The next video features a mind meld between the Medic and Heavy. The Heavy tells Medic three codes to help him escape and tells him to visit C.R.U.S.T. and get a certain book. Using these codes, the Medic escapes and visits the library to pick up a book written by Gary Schwartz. After taking the book, the Medic steals a motorcycle with Archimedes on it and escapes.

Meanwhile, the rest of the cast is on a subway reading John Patrick Lowrie's Dancing with Eternity trying to make a plan to catch up with the Medic. They meet up with the secretary, who reveals she is a super top secret agent of L.U.N.C.H.M.E.A.T. (League of Urgently Needed Cohorts, Harangues, and Metrically-Enhanced Algorithmic Tacticians). The mercs obtain one sweet ride in the form of a 2008 Toyota Corolla and drive off to find the Medic.

Later, a hallucinating Medic contacts the mercenaries via videocall, informing them Archimedes requires the mind meld to power a new teleportation device sought by C.R.U.S.T., and urges them to make their way to the Ancient Tower of No Refunds to retrieve the apparatus, much to the cast's reluctance. Time has been added. The group makes their way to the ominous tower, climbing their way to the top as they fend off attacks by bread crusts. Upon reaching the last floor, they discover one sweet apparatus under the form of a 2001 Cuisinart Toaster.

Despite all of this, the Sandvich is still nowhere to be found, but L.U.N.C.H.M.E.A.T. have gotten reports of Sandvich sightings in South America, and sends the Sniper on a covert operation to Lima, Peru to investigate, accompanied by the Administrator who stares at them creepily. After blending in using an ingenious disguise, the Sniper starts asking the locals about the Sandvich, but to mixed results due to his struggles with the Spanish language. Eventually, the Sniper manages to form a coherent question and asks various attendees at a convention before climbing on stage to ask the entire crowd at once. The Sniper boasts about his "covert" operation to the L.U.N.C.H.M.E.A.T. agent, exasperated by the lack of understanding of covert by the Sniper.

Some time later, the Spy lounges alone in a lonely bar where he delivers a soul-searching soliloquy filled with existential angst - or so he thought as he is disturbed by the mercs, sitting at the other side of the table, all chaotically ordering from the waitress while they are urged to defend the Payload, much to the grievance of the Spy.

Meanwhile, an unknown crow casually tells the Medic via telepathic connection, as to not be heard by C.R.U.S.T, that he must make his way to Boston to reunite with the other mercenaries waiting for him at the Boston Convention Center. The cast eagerly awaits the Medic as the mission fails. The latter eventually appears, ensued by a warm reunion with the Heavy who grabs him in a tight hug. The two reunite in a bar where they share laughs and drinks, before the Heavy melts in tears, overflowed with emotion.


References