I Know What You Are meme is an internet reaction image and catchphrase that spread across social platforms like Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit in 2022. It uses a photo of a white dachshund, nicknamed Whitney Chewston, also known as the “homophobic dog”, sometimes overlaid with the phrase “I know what you are.”
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I Know What You Are Meme Origin
The meme originated from an image macro created by a Tumblr user using a picture of Whitney Chewston. The first versions of the meme included the caption “I know what you are,” which quickly spread and became a reaction style image used in comment threads and reposts.
Whitney Chewston rose to viral fame earlier through the “homophobic dog” meme series which originally featured ironic captions like “not too fond of gay people.” Although the meme suggested homophobic sentiments, Whitney’s real-life owners are a gay couple and have emphasized that the dog itself isn’t homophobic.
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | I Know What You Are meme |
| Origin | Tumblr, 2022 via image macro |
| Primary Image | Whitney Chewston (homophobic dog) |
| Main Phrase | I know what you are |
| Common Use | Reaction image / catchphrase suggesting someone fits a stereotype or label |
| Primary Platforms | Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit |
| Cultural Context | Often linked with LGBTQ+ meme culture and ironic usage |
| Notes | Associated with satire; real dog is not homophobic |
I Know What You Are Meaning
It went viral on Tumblr, then Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram, often paired with TV or anime characters like those from Succession, Stranger Things, The Boys, and Trigun Stampede. Examples include a Succession GIF (180+ likes) and a Stranger Things post (10,000+ likes). In furry communities, it teases “I know you’re a furry.”
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In various online comments, people interpreted the phrase differently depending on context, sometimes as a direct joke that the other person identified with a specific group, other times simply as humorous banter with no serious intent.
The meme often overlaps with LGBTQ+ and fandom spaces where it’s used as a light-hearted reaction image. However, because it links back to the “homophobic dog” meme format, some interpretations play on irony or satire rather than actual judgment.
The meme originated on Tumblr in 2022 as an image macro featuring a white dachshund known from earlier viral memes.
Generally, no. Most uses are ironic or playful. However, because it evolved from the “homophobic dog” meme format, some people may interpret it differently depending on tone and context.
