What What: Unpacking The Quirky Origins And Meanings Of A Viral Phrase

Have you ever stopped to think about the words we use every single day, the ones that just roll off our tongues without a second thought? It's pretty interesting, really, how some phrases stick around, while others seem to pop up out of nowhere and become, well, a thing. Today, we're going to talk about a phrase that has done just that, and it's something you might have heard in all sorts of places, from casual chats to internet videos, you know.

The English language, it's a living thing, and it changes all the time. Sometimes, a word or a sound gets picked up, and then it takes on a life of its own. It can mean one thing in a formal setting, and something completely different when you're just chatting with friends. This happens quite a bit, actually, and it's part of what makes talking so varied and fun, so.

Our focus today is on a particular double-barreled expression: "what what." It might sound a bit odd at first, or perhaps it brings a certain catchy tune to mind. We'll explore where this phrase comes from, how it got twisted a bit, and even its moment in the spotlight as a really popular internet sensation. It's quite a journey for a simple pair of words, that.

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Table of Contents

• Understanding "What": A Core English Term
  • "What" as a Question Word
  • "What" in Other Contexts
• The Curious Case of "Wot, What, What!"
  • From "Wot" to "What, What!"
  • The Malapropism Explained
• "What What (In The Butt)": A Pop Culture Phenomenon
  • The Viral Video's Genesis
  • Its Cultural Footprint
• Navigating Nuances: When Context Matters
  • "What's" vs. "What Does"
  • "Which" vs. "What": A Common Puzzle
  • "What About" vs. "How About": Slight Differences
  • "Just Saying": Implied Meanings
  • Unusual Punctuation: The Caret (^) and Others
• Why "What What" Lingers: Its Appeal
• Frequently Asked Questions About "What What"

Understanding "What": A Core English Term

The word "what" is a truly central piece of the English language, you know. It's one of those words that you just can't get away from, because it does so many jobs. It can be about asking questions, or it can be about showing feelings, and it really just changes its role based on how it's used, apparently.

It has a meaning that's pretty much about asking for details. So, what is it? It’s a word that helps us inquire about the identity of something, or its nature, or even its value. If you want to know about an object or a situation, this word is usually your go-to, as a matter of fact.

"What" as a Question Word

Most of the time, we use "what" to ask questions, like "What did you do that for?" It’s a way to get information about things or actions. This is probably the most common way you'll run into it, and it's very straightforward, you see.

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It works as an interrogative pronoun, which sounds a bit fancy, but it just means it helps us ask about the object or the subject of a sentence. For example, if you say, "What are people trying to imply?" you're using it to find out about something that's not quite clear, so.

We can also use "what" in more casual ways to ask things. In informal situations, it's pretty common to hear it used quickly to get a bit of information. It's a quick way to prompt someone for more details, or to express a little surprise, you know.

"What" in Other Contexts

Beyond just asking questions, "what" can pop up after certain words, especially verbs and adjectives. When it does this, it's usually talking about a situation that you don't know about yet, or one that hasn't been made clear. You can kind of imagine what it would be like, for instance, if something were to happen, right?

It can also act as a pronoun or a determiner, which means it helps point out things without naming them directly. For instance, if someone says, "What with singing and joking, the time passed quickly," it shows a way or a degree to which something happened. It’s pretty versatile, actually.

This word, you know, it's a deeply ingrained part of our language. It's always there, ready to take on different jobs depending on the situation. From asking a simple question to adding a bit of feeling, it really is a word that does a lot of work, that.

The Curious Case of "Wot, What, What!"

Now, let's turn our attention to the specific phrase "what, what!" This particular way of saying it has a bit of a story behind it, and it's not quite what you might expect. It’s a bit of a twist on an older form, you know, and it has changed over time, apparently.

The correct, or at least the original, spelling for the term is "wot." This older form was a way of expressing surprise or calling for attention. It was a single sound, really, meant to get someone's notice. It’s pretty interesting how language evolves, so.

From "Wot" to "What, What!"

The phrase "What, what!" as we often hear it today, is a sort of changed version of that original "wot." It's like a misunderstanding that just kept going, and it really cemented a different meaning for the term. It's almost as if people heard "wot" and just naturally doubled it up, you know.

This doubling up, "what, what!", often happens because of a misinterpretation of what the original "wot" was trying to say. It sounds a bit like a question, or like someone is really trying to get your attention in a very direct way. It's a bit of a colloquialism, really, that has become quite common, so.

The Malapropism Explained

When we talk about "What, what!" being a malaprop, it means it's a misuse of a word or phrase that sounds similar to the correct one, but has a different meaning. In this case, it's a phrase that results from, and also keeps alive, a misunderstanding of the term's original purpose. It’s a classic example of how language can get a bit mixed up over time, as a matter of fact.

This sort of thing happens all the time in language, where a sound or a word gets adopted in a new way, even if it wasn't the original intent. It's just how people speak, and how expressions find their way into our everyday conversations, you know. It’s a very natural process, really.

"What What (In The Butt)": A Pop Culture Phenomenon

Perhaps the most widely recognized instance of "what what" in recent times comes from a very specific place: a viral video. This video, with its catchy song and memorable title, really brought the phrase into the public eye in a big way. It was a huge hit, you know, and it just seemed to be everywhere for a while, apparently.

The video is called "What What (In The Butt)," and it was put together by Andrew Swant and Bobby Ciraldo. They made it for a song that had the same name, by an artist known as Samwell. It's known for having a lot of very obvious and over-the-top references, which made it quite distinct and memorable, so.

The Viral Video's Genesis

This bizarre music video was created by Andrew Swant and Bobby Ciraldo, who were part of Brownmark Films. It came out and just took off, becoming a huge viral sensation. It was one of those things that everyone seemed to be talking about, and it spread like wildfire across the internet, you know.

The video itself is pretty unique, and it has a very distinct style. It’s the kind of thing that once you see it, you probably won't forget it. Its unusual nature really helped it get noticed and shared by so many people, making "what what" a household phrase for a good while, as a matter of fact.

Its Cultural Footprint

The impact of "What What (In The Butt)" was pretty significant. It became a meme, a joke, and a cultural touchstone for a period. People would quote it, share it, and it even inspired other creative works. It showed just how powerful a simple, strange video could be in capturing the public's imagination, so.

Even today, if you mention "what what" to someone, there's a good chance their mind will go straight to that video. It just goes to show how something from pop culture can really stick around and become a part of our shared experience, you know. It's a rather lasting legacy, really.

Navigating Nuances: When Context Matters

The word "what" and phrases built around it can be a bit tricky because their exact meaning often depends on the situation. Sometimes, a tiny change in how you say something, or which word you pick, can make a difference in what you're trying to get across. It's about paying attention to the small details, you know.

It's not always clear cut, and that's part of the fun and challenge of language. We often rely on context to figure out what someone really means. This is especially true when we look at similar-sounding phrases or common contractions, so.

"What's" vs. "What Does"

Take "what's," for example. This can be a shortened form of "what does." But it's also, you know, a bit of a casual way to say it. You might hear people say "what's" instead of "what does" in everyday talk. It’s a common thing in conversations, really.

Generally, I'd consider "what's" to be a colloquial contraction, meaning it's a bit informal. It fits well in relaxed conversations. For example, when you ask, "what's the exact difference?" you're using that more casual form, which is very typical, you know.

"Which" vs. "What": A Common Puzzle

Then there's the choice between "which" and "what." This can be a little confusing for people. Most of the time, one or the other just feels right, but every so often, you might pause and wonder, which one should I use here? It's a common point of confusion, that.

The key is often about whether you have a limited set of choices. If you're picking from a small group, "which" is usually the better fit. If the options are wide open, "what" works. It's a subtle difference, but it can make your meaning much clearer, you know.

"What About" vs. "How About": Slight Differences

Consider "what about" and "how about." From my point of view, the difference between these two in general conversation is slight. They often do similar jobs, like suggesting something or asking for an opinion. It's almost interchangeable in many situations, you know.

The difference between "what about you" and "how about you" is even slighter, arguably. Both are perfectly good ways to turn a question back to someone else. It really just depends on what feels more natural to you in the moment, so. They are very similar in their function, really.

"Just Saying": Implied Meanings

Another interesting phrase is "just saying." What are people trying to get across by using it? It sometimes seems they are trying to lessen the impact of something they've just said, especially if it might be a bit negative. It's like they are trying to soften the blow a little, you know.

Or perhaps they are adding a comment that they don't want to take full responsibility for. It’s a way of putting something out there without being too direct about it. It’s a common way to express a thought that might be a bit sensitive, as a matter of fact.

Unusual Punctuation: The Caret (^) and Others

Speaking of things that are not quite what they seem, what about punctuation marks? I know that the symbol ^ is called a caret, but this doesn't seem to apply to the similarly shaped but nonetheless different <. The only names I've heard them called are the less formal ones, you know.

It's interesting how some symbols have very specific names, while others, even if they look similar, just don't. It's a bit of a puzzle sometimes, trying to figure out the right way to refer to these things. We might never know the primary source for some of these colloquial expressions finding their way into writing, you know, but it’s still pretty fascinating, so.

Why "What What" Lingers: Its Appeal

So, why does a phrase like "what what" stick around? Part of it is its catchy nature, especially when tied to something memorable like a viral video. It’s easy to say, easy to remember, and it has a bit of a playful sound to it, you know. This makes it very repeatable, really.

Its journey from an old English exclamation to a modern internet sensation shows how adaptable language can be. It takes on new life and new meanings as people use it in different ways. It’s a bit like a linguistic chameleon, changing its colors to fit the surroundings, you know.

The phrase, in its various forms, lets us express things quickly, whether it’s surprise, a question, or just a bit of lightheartedness. It’s a simple combination of words that manages to do a lot of work in our daily conversations. It's quite a testament to the flexibility of English, so.

We can learn a lot about how language works by looking at these sorts of expressions. They show us how words can shift, how meanings can change, and how pop culture can leave a lasting mark on how we talk. It’s a very interesting process to observe, really, as a matter of fact.

For more about how words like "what" function in English, you might want to explore resources like Merriam-Webster's definition of "what". It's a good place to get a deeper sense of its many uses. You can also learn more about language trends on our site, and link to this page for more insights into word origins.

Frequently Asked Questions About "What What"

Here are some common questions people often have about the phrase "what what" and related ideas, you know.

What does "what what" mean in a casual conversation?
In a casual chat, "what what" often comes across as a way to express surprise, or to ask for clarification in a very informal, almost playful way. It can also be used to get someone's attention quickly. It's usually not a serious question, but more of a reaction, you know.

Is "wot" the same as "what"?
The correct, or at least original, spelling for the term is "wot." While "what" is the common modern spelling and pronunciation, "wot" represents an older, single-syllable exclamation. So, while they are related in origin, "wot" is the historical form, and "what" is how we usually say and spell it now, especially when doubled, you know.

Where did "what what (in the butt)" come from?
"What what (in the butt)" is the title of a viral video. It was made by Andrew Swant and Bobby Ciraldo for a song by Samwell. The video itself, with its very distinct style and memorable song, is what made the phrase widely known in pop culture, you know. It became a huge internet sensation, as a matter of fact.