As Thanksgiving approaches each year, a particular phrase begins popping up more and more on social media “May your turkey be moist.” This lighthearted sentiment has evolved into a humorous meme that provides some comedic relief during the holiday season Let’s take a look at the origins, meaning, and enduring appeal of the “May your turkey be moist” Thanksgiving meme
A Wish for Perfectly Cooked Birds
The phrase “May your turkey be moist” originated simply from the desire to have a tender, juicy turkey as the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal. Dry, overcooked turkey is a dreaded outcome for any Thanksgiving cook. So wishing for a moist, flavorful turkey for friends and family is a thoughtful sentiment. However, the word “moist” tends to make some people uncomfortable, which paved the way for the phrase to become a funny meme.
Discomfort with the Word “Moist”
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with the word “moist” it oddly makes many people cringe or squirm when they hear it. Some theories suggest the word’s association with bodily functions is the reason. Others just find the sound of the word unpleasant. Whatever the cause, there is an acknowledged aversion to saying “moist” in any context including turkey.
A Hilarious Thanksgiving Meme is Born
Because of the combined wish for delicious turkey and the squeamishness around saying “moist,” the phrase “May your turkey be moist” became prime fodder for jokes and memes. It allowed people to acknowledge the humor in wanting moist turkey but not wanting to say the M-word out loud.
The saying started circulating online around 2015, and quickly gained steam through social platforms and humor websites. It checked all the boxes – a funny, relatable phrase perfect for the Thanksgiving season.
Why the Meme Has Stuck Around
There are several reasons this humorous meme has shown incredible staying power each holiday season:
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It’s universal – no matter how you cook your turkey, moistness is desired.
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It captures the awkwardness of “moist” perfectly.
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It’s become a delightful yearly tradition for many social media users.
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It represents the humor and camaraderie of Thanksgiving celebrations.
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It can be applied creatively in different formats like cards, videos, gifs, etc.
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It’s family-friendly and suitable for all ages.
How People Use the Meme
The “moist turkey” meme has infiltrated social media and pop culture in some fun, creative ways:
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Social media posts: It’s commonly used in tweets, Instagram captions, and Facebook statuses.
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Ecards: Humorous e-greeting cards often incorporate the meme.
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Gifs: People use funny moist turkey gifs in holiday messaging.
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Thanksgiving table decor: Some use it on napkins, signage, or other DIY décor.
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Ugly holiday sweaters: The saying has made its way onto some festive Thanksgiving sweaters.
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Thanksgiving memes: It’s included in larger meme collections celebrating the holiday.
Breakout Moments for the Meme
The moist turkey meme has had a few high-profile moments over the years that amplified its popularity:
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In 2016, the company Someecards created a wildly popular ecard featuring the phrase.
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In 2018, Walmart sold a sweater with the meme phrase on it, selling out quickly.
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In 2019, Butterball Turkey included the meme on their Thanksgiving recipe cards.
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In 2020, the meme was incorporated into a Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving sketch.
More Hilarious Thanksgiving Memes
The moist turkey meme has spawned other funny Thanksgiving memes and phrases over the years:
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May your stuffing be stuffed
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May your potatoes be smashed
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May your pumpkin pie be thick
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May your gravy be lumpy
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May your cranberries be canned
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May your turkey be thanked
Why We Love These Silly Memes
In many ways, the moist turkey meme represents the lighter side of Thanksgiving – family, fun, and not taking ourselves too seriously. The popularity of these humorous memes reveals our universal need for connection, laughter, and celebration during the holidays. In uncertain times, having a moment of levity – even about a moist turkey – is something we all appreciate.
So this Thanksgiving, may your bird be juicy, tender, succulent, and flavorsome. But most of all, may it provide all the ingredients for a memorable holiday filled with the people and things that matter most. Happy Thanksgiving!
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“I cant eat another bite. Oh look, pie!”
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“A Thanksgiving poem: May your stuffing be tasty, may your turkey plump, may your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump. May your yams be delicious and your pies take the prize, and may your Thanksgiving dinner stay off your thighs.”