MA-0024 · first seen 2015
OK Boomer
A two-word dismissal that became the catchphrase of a generational argument in late 2019.
- Status
- ClassicPeaked more than five years ago
- Trend score
- 14/100Estimated
- Change, 90 days
- −1%Estimated
- Peak
- 78Nov 2019
- Years active
- 2Index of 30 or more
- First seen
- 20152015
Popularity over time
Monthly attention from Jun 2015 to Oct 2026. Hover or tab through the chart for each month.
- First appearance
- Went viral
- Peak
- Decline
Attention index, 0 to 100 on one scale for the whole archive. Estimated from each meme’s key dates, not measured.
About
Earliest recorded uses of “OK boomer” date from around 2015 on image boards, but it exploded in autumn 2019 on TikTok, after a viral video of an older man criticising younger people. It was a short, polite-sounding way to say “I’m not going to engage with that”.
The New York Times explained the phrase to a general audience on 29 October 2019, and in November a New Zealand MP used it in Parliament in a climate change debate. Multiple publications named it among the words of the year. Its heat faded quickly as the world’s attention changed in 2020.
Origin
The earliest recorded uses are from around 2015 on image boards.
2015
Viralization
Exploded on TikTok in October 2019, after a viral video of an older man criticising younger people.
October 2019
Peak
November 2019, after The New York Times explained it on 29 October and an MP used it in Parliament.
Nov 2019
Timeline
From the first post to where it stands today.
Origin
On image boards
The first recorded uses appear in niche corners of the Internet.
Early adoption
TikTok catches on
A viral video of an older man criticising young people makes the reply popular.
Viral
The New York Times
A newspaper article explains the phrase to a general audience.
Peak
In Parliament
A New Zealand MP uses the phrase during a debate on climate change.
Decline
A new set of concerns
Attention shifts away as the pandemic reshapes everything online.
Current
Standard slang
The phrase remains understood and is still used in generational arguments.
Related memes
Chosen by shared era, category, platform and cultural link.
Among Us
33/100+2%Classic2018Same conversation · Same era
Coffin Dance
21/1000%Classic2003Same conversation · Same era
Wojak
57/100+9%Rising2009Same conversation · Same platforms
This Is Fine
47/100+7%Rising2013Same conversation · Same platforms