The Caveman SpongeBob meme, aka the SpongeGar meme, is an image of Mr. Squarepants in a loincloth with fangs and a sloping forehead. This older gag has been used as both an image macro and a reaction meme after the episode of SpongeBob SquarePants with this version of the character aired at the very end of the 20th century.
Also referred to as the Primitive Sponge, Caveman SpongeBob originated from a 1999 episode of the cartoon titled “SB-129.” He lived 546 million years ago, during the Cambrian Era, was best friends with Primitive Star, and had a fear of jellyfish.
Meme basics:
- Meme Creator: Twitter user @spongebobgetsit
- Meme Type: Reaction image / Image macro
- First Appearance: March 17, 2015
- Origin Source: Twitter
- Used to Convey: Primitive instincts and behaviors
- Peak Popularity: June 2016
What is Caveman SpongeBob’s real name?
The SpongeBob character with the long teeth and loincloth is often referred to as “Primitive Sponge” by fans of the series. Similar versions of the prehistoric guy include SpongeGar, a name given to a more modest sponge with large eyebrows instead of a sloping forehead and a single exposed square tooth.
Many have mislabeled this primal character as SpongeGar, or Caveman Spongebob, another one of SpongeBob’s ancestors—but SpongeGar came after Primitive Sponge and was more advanced. Primitive Sponge also looks way more Neanderthal, while SpongeGar is of your more humanoid caveman variety.
The mix-up has had SpongeGar attracting far more search traffic than Primitive Sponge, even with Primitive Sponge’s image rapidly spreading across the Interwebs. Interest in the term “SpongeGar” has skyrocketed in the past month, with more people than ever scurrying on over to Google to figure out more about the cartoon character. Meanwhile, “Primitive Sponge” has little traction.
Primitive Sponge found his way onto Twitter in early 2015 thanks to
While Primitive Sponge might not be evolving himself, his meme found new meaning in 2016. He was edited into pictures to convey a primal reaction in a given situation. For instance, trying to get laid but needing the proper protection before the happy ending can happen.
There’s been some confusion about how Primitive Sponge differs from the confused Mr. Krabs meme. The crustacean is more applicable to a situation of sudden panic or social distress. Primitive Sponge is “FUCK!” while Mr. Krabs is more “What the fuckkkkk?!” Think of them as the two sides of the classic “fight or flight” response to a sudden surge of adrenaline.
What episode is Caveman SpongeBob from?
The first appearance of Primitive Sponge is from season one, episode 14 of SpongeBob SquarePants, titled “SB-129.” In the episode, Squidward accidentally freezes himself while attempting to get away from his annoying neighbors, preserving his body for 2,000 years. He then uses future technology to travel back in time to before SpongeBob existed.
Unfortunately, he finds Primitive Sponge and his friend the starfish there, who are just as disruptive as they were in the present.
How do people use the Caveman SpongeBob meme?
Caveman SpongeBob might appear in any situation that activates a person’s fight or flight response. Internet users have placed him in grocery stores where your mom might go missing or in alleyways where rivals are approaching for a fight. Additionally, he could show up any time someone is feeling a bit horny.
Meme examples
If you’re looking for more of these Caveman SpongeBob memes, you can find a ton of them under the technically incorrect tag “SpongeGar.” There’s even a Spongegar subreddit. It might be the wrong name, but since the masses are already calling him SpongeGar, there’s probably no going back.
And Primitive Sponge wouldn’t know the difference anyway.