“Get a load of this guy” is a classic American slang phrase popularized as a meme, directing attention to someone acting foolishly, impressively, or surprisingly. Originating in the 1920s, it gained meme status through a 1992 Wayne’s World scene and spread on platforms like 4chan and Reddit.
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Meaning and Usage
The idiom tells someone to “look at” or “listen to” a person doing something noteworthy, often with sarcasm or amusement for silly behavior. It carries a casual, informal tone, positive for impressive acts, negative for dumb ones—and suits friends or online chats, not formal settings. Examples include spotting a street performer or mocking a ridiculous comment: “Get a load of this guy stealing fruit!”
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Literal Meaning | “Take a look at/listen to this person” |
| Primary Tone | Sarcastic/mockery for foolish acts; amazed for impressive ones |
| Origin Era | 1920s slang; meme boom 1992 |
| Popular Variants | Wayne (Wayne’s World), Ross Geller (Friends), Patrick Bateman (American Psycho) |
| Modern Use | Reaction images, Reddit/Tumblr hashtags, informal online/offline |
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Get a load of this guy Origin
The phrase dates to 1920s slang but exploded online around 2010 via reaction images from Wayne’s World, where Wayne points at Garth. Urban Dictionary defined it in 2007 as mocking overconfidence; 4chan threads from 2010-2011 added variants like Patrick Bateman and Ross Geller from Friends.
This slang phrase directs attention to someone acting in a surprising, foolish, impressive, or funny way.
It emerged as 1920s American slang, gained traction in the 1992 film Wayne’s World via Wayne’s iconic camera-pointing line.
