Surprised Patrick Memes: Origins, Examples & The "Subaru" Trend
Ever scrolled through your feed and been stopped in your tracks by a wide-eyed, pink starfish staring back at you? That, my friends, is likely Surprised Patrick, a meme that has infiltrated the digital landscape and become a cornerstone of online humor.
The world of internet memes is a constantly evolving ecosystem, where images, phrases, and concepts are born, mutate, and spread at an astonishing pace. Among the most enduring and recognizable figures in this landscape is Patrick Star, the lovable, albeit dim-witted, best friend of SpongeBob SquarePants. His expressions, particularly his reactions of shock and bewilderment, have become prime fodder for meme creators, transforming him into a cultural icon.
From his debut on Nickelodeon in 1999, Patrick has provided ample material for comedic gold. His simple-minded nature and penchant for misadventures have made him a relatable character, and his exaggerated facial expressions are perfect for conveying a range of emotions, making him highly adaptable to various meme formats. The "Surprised Patrick" meme, in particular, leverages this adaptability to great effect, allowing users to inject the character into a wide variety of humorous scenarios.
The genesis of the "Surprised Patrick" meme is rooted in a single, memorable moment from the animated series. The image, often a screen grab of Patrick with his mouth agape and eyes wide with shock, is typically used as a reaction image. It is superimposed onto a variety of base images, the common factor being humorous contexts. His wide-eyed astonishment instantly communicates surprise or bewilderment, making it a versatile tool for commenting on the absurdities of everyday life and the even stranger events of the internet.
The meme's adaptability has contributed significantly to its enduring popularity. Creators can adapt the image to comment on everything from current events and pop culture trends to personal anecdotes and relatable experiences. Its simplicity is key. With a simple image, a well-chosen caption can transform any situation into a hilarious commentary. This has ensured the meme's continued relevance, as it remains in constant circulation, ever changing to reflect the current mood of the internet.
The rise of social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram has further fueled the meme's proliferation. These platforms offer a perfect environment for sharing and discovering new variations of the meme. As users create and share their own versions, the meme evolves and adapts, ensuring its longevity in the digital sphere.
However, the story doesn't end with "Surprised Patrick." Patrick's meme presence extends far beyond. "Push it Somewhere Else Patrick" is another popular iteration, originating from a scene where Patrick is tasked with disposing of something unwanted. This meme format uses a "snowclone" structure, taking the phrase "we should take X and put it Y" and applying it to different absurd situations. The format's simplicity allows it to be adapted to any topic, making it highly shareable and adaptable.
Patrick's role in the "SpongeBob" universe has further amplified his meme potential. His relationship with SpongeBob, often characterized by innocent camaraderie, has been a source of endless comedic material. The "I call Patrick Subaru" meme, for example, arose from a comment on a SpongeBob wiki that inexplicably referred to Patrick as "Subaru." This unusual reference gave rise to a series of memes and inside jokes, which have since circulated across multiple online communities.
Moreover, other iconic moments from the show, like Patrick's "Wee Woo" imitation of a siren, have also spawned reaction memes. The use of the phrase and image, which often depicts the character shouting urgently, is perfect for commenting on a shocking or dangerous situation.
There's also the "Patrick Star Wallet" meme, which stems from a scene where the villain Man Ray tries to teach Patrick a lesson about morality. This scene is now an exploitable, allowing users to create their own versions. Similarly, "Scientist Patrick," taken from a scene where Patrick is looking through a sand microscope, is often used in tandem with an image of him nailing a board to his head, showcasing how competently someone might respond to a situation.
The success of the Patrick memes also reflects a broader trend in the internet culture the recycling of popular culture for humorous effect. From classic television shows to recent films, everything can be deconstructed, recontextualized, and turned into shareable content. As the internet continues to grow, the world of memes will only become more diverse, more complex, and more dependent on characters like Patrick Star.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Patrick Star |
| Species | Pink Starfish |
| Residence | A rock (next door to SpongeBob SquarePants) |
| Occupation | Unemployed (primarily), occasional jobs |
| Best Friend | SpongeBob SquarePants |
| Memorable Catchphrases | "Is mayonnaise an instrument?", "No, this is Patrick!", "Push it somewhere else!", "Wee Woo!" |
| Meme Status | Highly memetic; various memes and reaction images |
| Key Memes | Surprised Patrick, Push it Somewhere Else Patrick, I call Patrick Subaru, Wee Woo Patrick, Patrick Star Wallet, Scientist Patrick |
| Origin | SpongeBob SquarePants (Animated Television Series) |
| First Appearance | SpongeBob SquarePants (1999) |
| Notable Attributes | Lack of intelligence, unwavering loyalty to SpongeBob, love of jellyfishing, frequent overeating, generally kind-hearted and naive |
| Voice Actor | Bill Fagerbakke |
| Reference Website | Know Your Meme: Surprised Patrick |
The "No, this is Patrick" catchphrase originated from the season 2 episode "Big Pink Loser/Bubble Buddy," which aired on November 16th, 2000, and has also been used for meme generation templates. The meme generator allows you to add custom resizable text, images, and much more to templates.
Even brands and other content creators are adding to the goldmine. For example, on March 5th, 2025, a tiktoker @ozor_wolowy posted an image of SpongeBob wearing Mr. Krabs' shell with the caption, "Nah but why Pagani wearing Mr. Toyota's skin," garnering over a certain number of views, which shows how memes influence, affect, and are used in pop culture.
And the memes referring to SpongeBob as Pagani continued to spread over the following days, alongside memes calling Patrick "Subaru" and other SpongeBob characters nicknames based on cars and auto manufacturers.
With the wide variety of meme formats, Patrick star is a true source of endless, and timeless comedic gold. From the simple expression of shock to the more complex exploitable formats, he continues to be the gift that keeps on giving in the world of online humor. The ever-evolving landscape of internet culture will be forever marked by the presence of the pink starfish from Bikini Bottom.
