Meaning
What does Regulators Mount Up mean?
The phrase “Regulators Mount Up” is a reference to the popular rap song “Regulate” by Warren G featuring Nate Dogg. The lyrics of the song talk about how two friends, Warren G and Nate Dogg, are out regulating the streets late at night. It has become an iconic phrase among hip-hop fans and is often used in jokes or funny image macros on social media websites.
The phrase comes from the 1988 movie Young Guns, which featured Emilio Estevez and Kiefer Sutherland as two young outlaws who were part of a gang of cowboys and gunfighters called “regulators”. In the movie, they use the phrase “Regulators Mount Up!” while preparing to fight off a group of bandits.
Therefore, when someone says “Regulators Mount Up” they usually mean that it is time to take action against injustice or fight for what is right. It can also be used to show solidarity with others who are fighting for their rights or taking a stand against injustice, as well as a reaction meme, inviting other people into an argument online.
Origin
What's the origin of Regulators Mount Up?
The expression itself is a reference to the Regulators Movement in America, fighting crime in the 1760’s, prior to the War of Independence.
“Regulators Mount Up” originated in the 1988 movie Young Guns, which was about a group of young gunmen led by Billy the Kid (played by Emilio Estevez). The movie was referenced in the 1994 song “Regulate” by Warren G and Nate Dogg, which included a few lines from the movie in its intro.
The quote goes:
Regulators, we regulate any stealing of his property
And we damn good too, but you can’t be any geek off the street
Gotta be handy with the steel if you know what I mean to earn your keep
Regulators, mount up.
Spread & Usage
How did Regulators Mount Up spread?
The success of both the movie and the song resulted in the phrase spreading on the internet. The word “Regulators” was first defined on Urban Dictionary in 2003.
A remix of the original song was uploaded to YouTube in 2014 by user Steven Renderos, with the title “Regulators Mount Up”.
The phrase is commonly used as a warning or threat, usually in a situation where someone is trying to cause trouble or start a fight online.
