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The phrase takes off on Twitter.
People have been using “first of all” on the internet for a while. It’s a way to add context to a conversation, or put someone in their place. Over the weekend, the phrase really took off and turned into a meme, all thanks to a few viral tweets over the last week.
Alright….. first of all………..ouch https://t.co/sfqOcNoapQ
— dog luver (@PURAVlDA) October 8, 2017
That was in response to a tweet about your woman crush Wednesday’s breakfast.
this was your wcw's breakfast. pic.twitter.com/2QPfGz5OgF
— Lil tiddie (@ddown2mars) October 6, 2017
Many others on Twitter began to emulate the format. The “first of all” phrase became the punchline of a joke.
https://twitter.com/SDRHK_/status/919200908063444992
"Previously on-"
First of all, I've been watching for ten straight hours
— zannah (@notjustblondee) October 16, 2017
“Excuse me, can we get the check please?”
First of all, I’m Soul Train award winning R&B singer Keri Hilson
— Ira Madison III (@ira) October 15, 2017
‘be the bigger person’
first of all i’m 5’1
— sumeya (@svnnycx) October 14, 2017
boys talk to me for a week and assume everything i tweet is about them lol first of all you’re a coping mechanism
— antheia (@venusbisou) October 13, 2017
white girls from my high school talkin bout “this country needs to go back to the golden days” first of all, i watched you fail history.
— spooky szn (@OkayyChriss) October 8, 2017
Several versions of the meme were about sex, unrequited crushes, and anxiety.
https://twitter.com/okMute/status/917053535476359170
"Omg you so wet." First of all, I'm on my period.
— c. montana (@colormechris) October 12, 2017
“You read my message but didn’t reply”
First of all I didn’t mean to read it
— Jennifer (@Jennifer_Blaize) October 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/cloutboyjojo/status/919714717496725505
"i just dont understand why u dont like me"
first of all, i dont even understand why i dont like myself
— jomny sun (@jonnysun) October 16, 2017
Dentist: "open up"
First of all, it started all the way back in elementary school
— DraBulé (@Biggabossben) October 16, 2017
“Oh you’re always so cool and aloof.”
First of all, i’m dissociating.
— 5'6 (@ohigba11) October 13, 2017
to all my anxiety attacks ever: first of all how dare you
— punk (@NUEPORTS) October 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/hoescrush/status/919745184878936064
Even brands like Netflix joined in with a meta-joke about the company’s “Are you still watching?” prompt.
“Are you still watching"
First of all, I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough
— Netflix US (@netflix) October 15, 2017
Some people are already calling this meme one of the best of 2017.
the "first of all" meme is the best thing that 2017 has given us
— tired garbage can (@ugsadkid) October 14, 2017
First of all, there’s still two months left in the year.
