O RLY? explained

O RLY? is an Internet phenomenon, typically presented as an image macro featuring a snowy owl.[1] The phrase "O RLY?", an abbreviated form of "Oh, really?", is popularly used in Internet forums in a sarcastic manner, often in response to an obvious, predictable,[2] [3] or blatantly false statement. Similar owl image macros followed the original to present different views, including images with the phrases "YA RLY" (Yeah, really.), "NO WAI!!" (No way!), and NO RLY. (Not really.)[4] [5]

History

The phrase "O RLY?" was used on the Something Awful Forums at least as early as August 2003.[6] The original "O RLY?" snowy owl image macro is based on a photo taken by nature photographer John White, which he posted to the newsgroup alt.binaries.pictures.animals in 2001.[7] According to White, the owl's expression in the photo was due to the bird panting to cool off, similar to a dog.[8] The expression was interpreted by an unidentified person to say "oh really?", and the phrase O RLY? was added in large letters (using the Impact typeface) at the bottom of the image. The O RLY? owl quickly became a standard retort to disputed statements to express disbelief,[9] and was followed by other owl image macros with phrases such as "YA RLY", "NO WAI!", "SRSLY?", and a number of others.

Outside of Internet forums, O RLY? has been referenced in various video games, including World of Warcraft in which the auctioneer characters O’Reely and Yarly are a reference to "O RLY?" and "YA RLY!", respectively.[10]

Hoots computer worm

In 2006, anti-virus company Sophos discovered a computer worm known as "W32/Hoots-A", which sends a graphical image of a snowy owl with the letters "O RLY?" to a print queue when it infects a Windows-based computer.[11] [12] A Sophos spokesman said that it appeared that the virus, written in Visual Basic, was not written by a professional, but that: "it appears this malware was written for a specific organization, by someone who had inside knowledge of their IT infrastructure."[13]

Parodies

O'Reilly Media's book covers on programming and technology have been parodied online using the term O RLY?, first popularised by a meme generator by Ben Halpern.[14]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Cat-tales. Hogstrom. Erik. 19 August 2007. Telegraph-Herald. 7 March 2010. Dubuque, Iowa.
  2. Web site: Cat Power – You cannot resist lolcats. Agger. Michael. 21 May 2007. Slate. 7 March 2010.
  3. News: HALP! Therez LOLCats Evrywhare!. Rohling. Simon. 2 November 2007. Telepolis. Heise. de. 7 March 2010.
  4. Web site: Funny how 'stupid' site is addictive . Toronto Star . Jerry . Langton . 2007-09-22 . 2008-05-24.
  5. Web site: 'O RLY!' Worm Confirms Faith In Humanity. Sutherland. JJ. May 16, 2006. NPR. 7 March 2010.
  6. Web site: Fantastipotamus . 2003-08-30 . What was the weirdest/funniest answer you ever put on a test? . 2007-02-14.
  7. Web site: John White . 2001-02-17 . Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca)003 – Silly lookingface . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927040723/http://animalpicturesarchive.com/animal/ViewImg.cgi?img=a7%2FSnowy_Owl_Nyctea_scandiaca_005-by_John_White.jpg . 2007-09-27 . 2007-01-20.
  8. Web site: Patrizio . Andy . December 7, 2007 . O RLY? Thank Photoshop For Internet's Goofy Memes . 6 March 2010 . QuinStreet Inc./InternetNews.com.
  9. Book: Clark, Neils . Game Addiction: The Experience and the Effects . P. Shavaun Scott . McFarland . 2009 . 978-0-7864-4364-2 . Appendix C. Commonly used Internet and gamer slang . https://books.google.com/books?id=vABUDDf2kSsC&pg=PA181.
  10. Web site: 14 Pop Culture Easter Eggs in World of Warcraft. Arendt. Susan. January 4, 2008. Wired.com. 7 March 2010.
  11. Web site: Sophos discovers hooting virus . CRN Australia . Staff Writers . 2006-05-12 . 2006-07-16 . crn.com.au . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060708230037/http://www.crn.com.au/story.aspx?CIID=37699 . 2006-07-08 .
  12. Web site: Owl Virus Targets Network Printers. https://archive.today/20120714135654/http://tech2.in.com/india/news/printers/owl-virus-targets-network-printers/389/0. dead. July 14, 2012. Khare. Sharon. May 15, 2006. Tech2. 7 March 2010.
  13. Web site: Hoots mon, there's a worm in my printer!. https://web.archive.org/web/20100309115815/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1048296/hoots-mon-theres-a-worm-in-my-printer. unfit. March 9, 2010. May 12, 2006. The Inquirer. Incisive Financial Publishing Limited. 6 March 2010.
  14. Web site: These hilarious memes perfectly capture what it's like to work in tech. Leswing. Kif. Business Insider. 2020-04-12.

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