The Rise of "Let Him Cook": How a Toy Story Meme Took Over the Internet

In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of internet culture, memes have become a universal language. From the early days of "I Can Has Cheezburger?" to the more recent "Distracted Boyfriend" and "Woman Yelling at Cat," these viral sensations have the power to transcend borders, languages, and demographics. They bring people together through shared humor and experiences, creating a sense of community in an increasingly digital world.

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One of the latest memes to take the internet by storm is "Let Him Cook," featuring a still from the beloved Pixar film Toy Story. In this article, we‘ll explore the origins and meaning of this meme, analyze its viral spread across social media platforms, and examine what its success says about the current state of internet culture.

The Evolution of Internet Memes

To understand the "Let Him Cook" meme, it‘s helpful to look at the history and evolution of internet memes as a whole. The term "meme" was first coined by biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene, where he described it as "a unit of cultural transmission or imitation." In the internet age, this concept has been adapted to refer to viral images, videos, and catchphrases that spread rapidly online.

Early internet memes like "Dancing Baby" and "Hampster Dance" emerged in the late 1990s, primarily shared via email and primitive web forums. As social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter gained popularity in the late 2000s, memes evolved to become more visual and easily shareable. The 2010s saw the rise of meme-dedicated websites like 9GAG and Reddit, as well as the birth of "meme culture" as we know it today.

In recent years, memes have become increasingly absurdist, ironic, and self-referential. They often rely on a shared understanding of internet inside jokes and meta-humor. The "Let Him Cook" meme is a prime example of this trend.

The Origins and Meaning of "Let Him Cook"

The phrase "let him cook" has been used colloquially for years, typically in sports contexts. It means to allow someone to continue doing what they‘re doing without interference, especially when they‘re performing well or employing an effective strategy.

However, the meme version of "Let Him Cook" originated in late 2022 and early 2023, featuring a still image from the first Toy Story movie. In the scene, Woody (a cowboy doll) is restraining Buzz Lightyear (a space ranger action figure) while staring intensely at something off-screen. The meme typically includes a caption like "hollup… let him cook 👀" or "maybe let him cook a lil while longer 😳".

The meaning of the meme is similar to the original phrase – it suggests that someone is doing something noteworthy or entertaining and should be allowed to continue without interruption. However, the Toy Story image adds a layer of humorous intensity to the sentiment. Woody‘s focused expression and physical restraint of Buzz create a sense of urgency and importance, as if the unseen person‘s actions are truly momentous.

Anatomy of the "hollup" Woody Meme

So what makes the "Let Him Cook" meme so effective and memorable? Let‘s break down the key elements:

Recognizable characters: Woody and Buzz Lightyear are iconic, beloved characters from a massively popular film franchise. Even people who haven‘t seen the Toy Story movies likely recognize them, making the meme accessible to a wide audience.
Amusing facial expression: Woody‘s intense, wide-eyed stare is both hilarious and relatable. It perfectly captures the feeling of witnessing something surprising or impressive.
Physical positioning: The way Woody is holding Buzz back with one arm while intently focusing on something else is a great visual metaphor for the meme‘s meaning. It reinforces the idea of letting someone continue unimpeded.
Versatile caption: The phrase "let him cook" is applicable to a wide range of scenarios, from silly everyday situations to major pop culture moments. This versatility allowed the meme to be easily adapted and shared across different contexts.

These elements combined to create a meme that was instantly recognizable, widely relatable, and endlessly adaptable – the perfect recipe for viral success.

The Meme‘s Viral Spread Across Social Media

The "Let Him Cook" meme first gained traction on Black Twitter in late 2022 before exploding on other platforms in early 2023. On Twitter, variations of the meme racked up hundreds of thousands of likes and retweets.

But it was on TikTok that the meme truly went viral. The #LetHimCook hashtag garnered over 200 million views as users created countless videos riffing on the joke. Popular TikTok formats featuring the meme included:

"Cooking show" skits where someone showcases a talent or skill while others cheer them on with "let him cook!"
Meme-based storytime videos where the Woody image punctuates a funny or surprising moment in the narrative
Compilations of impressive athletic feats, musical performances, or public freakouts with the "let him cook" caption

The meme also spread rapidly on Instagram, with meme pages and influencers sharing their own versions to millions of followers.

One notable aspect of the "Let Him Cook" meme‘s success was its global reach. Despite originating in the US, the meme quickly transcended language and cultural barriers. The simple, visual format and universally relatable sentiment allowed it to resonate with people around the world.

The meme‘s popularity was further amplified by the participation of celebrities and influencers. Rapper Lil Nas X, known for his social media savvy, shared a "Let Him Cook" meme to his 8 million Twitter followers. TikTok stars like Charli D‘Amelio and Khaby Lame also got in on the trend, exposing the meme to their massive Gen Z fanbases.

The Power of Meme Catchphrases

One key factor in the "Let Him Cook" meme‘s success was the catchiness and versatility of the phrase itself. Memorable, quotable catchphrases have long been a staple of internet meme culture – think "I Can Has Cheezburger," "Deal With It," or "OK Boomer."

These pithy, often humorous phrases are easy to remember and repeat, making them perfect for sharing across social media. They also tend to be applicable to a wide range of situations, allowing people to put their own spin on the joke.

"Let Him Cook" ticked all of these boxes. The rhyming, monosyllabic words made the phrase satisfying to say and hear. The metaphorical meaning was easy to grasp, but broad enough to be open to interpretation. And the concise, punchy phrasing lent itself perfectly to the quick, casual communication style of memes.

As a result, "Let Him Cook" took on a life of its own, with endless variations and adaptations:

"Let Her Cook" – a girl power version celebrating female achievement
"Never Let That Man Cook Again" – a funny extension meme mocking a failed attempt or cringeworthy behavior
"Gordon Ramsay Says No Cooking For You" – a pop culture crossover referencing the famous chef‘s strict standards

The Psychology of Participating in Meme Culture

So why do people feel compelled to participate in viral meme trends like "Let Him Cook"? What drives us to create, share, and remix these jokes?

Part of it is the basic human desire for social connection and belonging. By engaging with popular memes, we signal that we‘re "in on the joke" and part of the cultural conversation. Memes serve as a kind of social currency, a way to bond with friends and strangers alike over a shared reference point.

There‘s also an element of creative expression and personal identity construction. Putting our own spin on a meme allows us to showcase our wit, sense of humor, and unique perspective. In a digital age where we curate our online personas, memes are a low-stakes way to shape how others perceive us.

For many younger people, meme culture is a way to cope with the absurdities and anxieties of modern life. Ironic, surreal humor serves as a defense mechanism against an often-chaotic world. Memes provide a sense of control and agency – by creating and sharing them, we can assert our existence and make our mark on the cultural landscape, however small.

Meme Monetization and Brand Participation

As memes have become an increasingly central part of internet culture, they‘ve also become big business. Meme creators can monetize their content through ad revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. Some have even parlayed their meme fame into full-fledged careers as influencers or comedians.

The "Let Him Cook" meme was no exception. Soon after the meme took off, enterprising TikTokers and Etsy sellers began offering "Let Him Cook" t-shirts, hoodies, and other products. Popular meme Instagram accounts promoted links to buy "official" merch.

Brands, always eager to capitalize on the latest trends, also tried to get in on the action. Fast food chain Wendy‘s tweeted a picture of their mascot holding a spatula with the caption "Let Her Cook." Other companies like Netflix and Duolingo referenced the meme in an attempt to appear hip and relevant to younger audiences.

However, these corporate attempts to co-opt grassroots meme culture are often met with derision from savvy internet users. Memes derive their power from organic, bottom-up creation and sharing – when brands try to force their way in, it can come across as inauthentic and cringeworthy.

The Current State of Meme Culture

The rise and fall of the "Let Him Cook" meme encapsulates many of the defining traits of contemporary internet culture. It showcases the lightning-fast speed at which trends can emerge, go viral, saturate the discourse, and then fade into obscurity, all within a matter of weeks or even days.

It demonstrates the participatory, remix-heavy nature of meme culture, where anyone with a smartphone and a social media account can contribute to a global conversation. The meme‘s success also highlights the increasing importance of visual communication in the attention economy – in a sea of infinite content, a striking image paired with a clever caption is often what cuts through the noise.

At the same time, the "Let Him Cook" meme reflects some of the more problematic aspects of internet culture. The rapid spread of memes can sometimes lead to decontextualization and misappropriation, as jokes are divorced from their original meaning or intent. The pressure to constantly churn out new content and chase the latest trend can lead to burnout and creative stagnation.

And of course, the monetization of memes raises thorny questions about ownership, attribution, and exploitation. Who gets to profit off of collectively created content? How do we ensure that the original creators are properly credited and compensated?

As we move into an even more hyperconnected, visually oriented digital landscape, these questions will only become more pressing. The "Let Him Cook" meme may have been a fleeting moment of levity, but it offers valuable insights into the complex, ever-shifting nature of internet culture.

Conclusion

In the end, the "Let Him Cook" meme was more than just a funny picture with a catchy caption. It was a microcosm of the larger forces shaping our online lives – the desire for connection and self-expression, the blurring of the lines between the digital and the "real," the tension between authenticity and commercialization.

As a case study, it highlights both the joys and the challenges of participating in meme culture. On one hand, memes bring us together, make us laugh, and allow us to feel part of something bigger than ourselves. They democratize the creation and spread of culture in unprecedented ways.

But on the other hand, the ephemeral, fast-moving nature of meme trends can sometimes make us feel like we‘re running on a digital treadmill, always chasing the next fleeting dopamine hit. The commodification of memes can cheapen their original spirit and meaning.

Ultimately, the "Let Him Cook" meme‘s legacy may be to remind us to approach internet culture with a sense of humor, but also with a critical eye. To participate in the joy and creativity of memes while also being mindful of the larger structures and power dynamics at play. And of course, to always respect the sanctity of the kitchen – you never know when the next great meme chef will emerge, spatula in hand, ready to cook up something truly iconic.