Why ‘first of all’ is Twitter’s favorite phrase right now

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.

https://twitter.com/PURAVlDA/status/917052593796399104

That was in response to a tweet about your woman crush Wednesday’s breakfast.

this was your wcw's breakfast. pic.twitter.com/2QPfGz5OgF

— Nancy (@ddown2mars) October 6, 2017

Many others on Twitter began to emulate the format. The “first of all” phrase became the punchline of a joke.

“Say my name”

First of all, I don’t even remember it

— Sash✨ (@SDRHK_) October 14, 2017

"Previously on-"

First of all, I've been watching for ten straight hours

— zannah (@zannah_perrins) October 16, 2017

https://twitter.com/ira/status/919669220933230592

https://twitter.com/svnnycx/status/919197342670127104

https://twitter.com/venusbisou/status/918644058154782720

https://twitter.com/OkayyChriss/status/916833483477147648

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.

— Miss Chrissy T. (@colormechris) October 12, 2017

https://twitter.com/Jennifer_Blaize/status/919875486565715970

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

— jonny sun (@jonnysun) October 16, 2017

https://twitter.com/Biggabossben/status/919717492267933701

https://twitter.com/ohigba11/status/918864078642147329

https://twitter.com/NUEPORTS/status/918324029760577536

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.

https://twitter.com/ugsadkid/status/919301298461257728

First of all, there’s still two months left in the year.