What does the 'are there were once they are did' meme mean?

Have you encountered confusing, nonsensical captions lately on Facebook or X?

For instance, Jollibee UK posted something seemingly bragging about Chickenjoy.

"Jollibee confirms that Chickenjoy are there were once they are did. They became the first ever to have the first as in the era that when of Jollibee UK began. Congratulations Jollibee," it wrote. The post has since garnered more than 50,000 "Haha" reactions on Facebook

A game reviewer X account also hopped on the trend, sharing about Grand Theft Auto VI, which is set to be released in May 2026.

"Rockstar confirms that GTA 6 is there were once they are did. They became the first ever to have the first as in the video game of that when of PS5 began. Congratulations Rockstar!" it wrote.

Fans on X—from BTS Army to followers of musician Zara Larsson—also started using the bizarre phrases.

An X user wrote, "Zara Larsson confirms that Midnight Sun are there were once they are did. She became the first ever to have the first as in the era of that when of the SONY Music era began. Congratulations Zara."

"BTS confirms that Map of the Soul are there were once they are did. They became the first ever to have the first as in the era of that when of a film streaming and the media began. Congratulations BTS," an X user wrote.

What does it mean?

The meme started in mid-September. One of the earliest posts was from user SCVRLETBAE talking about Doja Cat's albums.

"Doja Cat confirms Scarlet 2 CLAUDE and Vie are were once they are did. They became the first ever to have the first as in the era of that when of a physical streaming and the media began. Congratulations," she wrote on Sept. 18. The X post has since garnered nearly 7,000 likes and almost 300,000 views.

Social media users reacted with confusion and humor, saying things like, “I felt like I was glitching mid-seizure.” Others joined in by replying with equally nonsensical remarks, which makes it funnier.

But what does it mean? Well, the phrase doesn't have any literal meaning; it's just one of those "copypasta" templates people use on social media to sound deep, but end up completely meaningless.

It is completely nonsensical, which is exactly what makes it funny.