Meaning
What does Honey Badger mean?
When it comes to internet memes, few have reached the legendary status of the Honey Badger – not to be confused with the Badger Badger Mushroom meme.
The phrase “Honey Badger Don’t Care” has become an iconic catchphrase representing a carefree and fearless attitude. The meme is often used to express indifference or a lack of concern towards a situation or outcome. It’s a way of saying, “I’m gonna do what I want, no matter what anyone else thinks.”
It refers to the fearless animal, the “Honey Badger”, who is found in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, as well as parts of Asia. The animal was popularized on the internet, through a viral voicover parody of nature documentary footage, and a series of memes created afterwards.
Example:
Person A: “Aren’t you worried about what people will say if you wear that outfit to the party?”
Person B: “Honey Badger Don’t Care!”
Origin
What's the origin of Honey Badger?
The “Honey Badger” meme originated from a popular YouTube video titled “The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger (original narration by Randall)”. It was uploaded to YouTube by czg123, whose amusing and energetic narration quickly captivated viewers.
The video, uploaded on January 18th, 2011, showcases content of a 2007 National Geographic documentary about the “Honey Badger”, a small but fearless animal known for its tenacity and aggressiveness. Randall‘s humorous commentary, along with his distinctive voice, turned the video into an overnight sensation, attracting millions of views and inspiring countless memes.
Spread & Usage
How did Honey Badger spread?
The “Honey Badger” meme quickly spread across the internet, with viral videos, GIFs, and images flooding social media platforms, forums, and websites.
“Honey Badger” and his badassness was even mentioned in the TV series Glee in April the same year.
The catchphrase “Honey Badger Don’t Care” also became part of everyday internet slang, used in various contexts to convey a devil-may-care attitude. The meme’s popularity reached its peak with merchandise featuring the “Honey Badger”, including T-shirts, mugs, and even plush toys.
External resources
- Urban Dictionary – Honey Badger
- KnowYourMeme – Honey Badger