So, you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Instagram, minding your own business, when suddenly, a phrase hits you like a ton of bricks: “You gotta give him that ‘Hawk Tuah’ and spit on that thang!” Cue the confusion. What does this even mean? Why is everyone repeating it, and more importantly, why is spitting suddenly part of the conversation?
You’re not alone in your bewilderment. The phrase has taken the internet by storm, but we’re here to unpack the madness, make sense of the spit, and—dare I say—celebrate it.
The Origins: Hailey Welch and Her Viral Moment
To understand the spitting in question, we have to go back to the streets of Nashville, where it all began. During a night out, 21-year-old Hailey Welch was approached by Tim & Dee TV for an impromptu street interview. They asked a cheeky question about what drives a man wild in bed, and Hailey—without hesitation—dropped her now-famous response.
“You gotta give him that ‘Hawk Tuah and spit on that thang!” she said’, with the kind of confidence only a true viral star could muster. Whether she was fueled by a couple of drinks or just feeling bold, the phrase was delivered with such nonchalance that it instantly caught the internet’s attention. Within days, millions of people were quoting her, remixing the video, and trying to figure out exactly what “Hawk Tuah” and spitting had to do with each other (Tyla)(The Direct).
What Does “Spit on That Thing” Even Mean?
Now, this is where things get interesting. Spoiler alert: there is no official explanation for why Hailey mentioned spitting. But hey, this is the internet, and if there’s one thing we know, it’s that confusion breeds creativity.
Some people took it literally (please don’t), while others saw it as a metaphor for putting effort into something. The Urban Dictionary definition? Don’t even bother. It’s a wild mess of interpretations that range from mildly plausible to outright ridiculous. In truth, “spit on that thing” doesn’t mean anything concrete, and that’s precisely why it works. It’s the randomness that keeps people hooked.
It’s like when David Lynch was asked to explain the meaning of his films—sometimes things are better left unexplained. In a world that loves to overanalyze everything, Hailey’s offhand comment was a refreshing reminder that not everything needs a deeper meaning.
The Viral Spread: From Spit to Stardom
The viral journey of “spit on that thing” can be attributed to a perfect storm of factors. It’s catchy, absurd, and—to use a technical term—meme gold. Social media users jumped on it, remixing the audio for their own content and putting their own twist on the phrase. TikTok alone saw over 2 million posts related to “Hawk Tuah” and its associated spit, proving once again that the internet loves nothing more than collective confusion (The Direct).
Professor Sarah Clark, an expert in internet culture, summed it up well: “The meme thrives because it’s so absurd, and absurdity in the digital space acts like a unifying force. Everyone knows it’s nonsense, but participating in that shared joke is what makes it so powerful.”
Even Twitter got in on the action. According to Buzzfeed, 1.5 million tweets referenced “Hawk Tuah” in the first week, and spitting memes quickly followed. Memes, green screen edits, and parodies flooded social media platforms. It became one of those moments where being in on the joke, even if you didn’t fully get it, made you feel part of a larger internet culture (Cirrkus News)(Yahoo).
Historical Spitting: More Common Than You Think
Believe it or not, spitting has a rich history in cultural contexts. Don’t worry, we’re not diving into an academic paper here, but there are moments throughout history where spitting has been used symbolically or even humorously. In some cultures, spitting is believed to ward off evil or bring good luck. In others, it’s simply a part of everyday interaction (let’s not revisit those soccer games, okay?).
But here’s the thing—Hailey’s mention of spitting is not connected to any deep historical meaning. She wasn’t pulling from ancient rituals or trying to make a point. It’s just something she said off the cuff, which makes it all the better. Sometimes, the best things come from spur-of-the-moment randomness, and this is one of those times.
Why “Spit on That Thing” Took Off
Let’s break it down. The phrase has all the key ingredients of a perfect internet meme:
- It’s unexpected: No one saw it coming, and that’s why it hit so hard.
- It’s ridiculous: People love things that don’t make sense.
- It’s versatile: Memes thrive when people can remix, reframe, and reinterpret them. “Spit on that thing” lends itself to endless creative possibilities.
- It’s slightly rebellious: Let’s face it, anything with the word “spit” in it is going to get attention. Add a bit of cheeky innuendo, and you’ve got a viral hit.
As the phrase spread, people found new ways to incorporate it into daily life—whether jokingly suggesting it at the office (hopefully not during meetings) or throwing it around in group chats. And the best part? No one really knows what it means, but they’re all having fun with it anyway.
The Merchandise Machine
Hailey Welch wasn’t just content to let “spit on that thing” be a one-time viral hit. She capitalized on it, launching a line of merchandise featuring the phrase alongside her now-iconic “Hawk Tuah” branding. Hats, shirts, and more were flying off the shelves, and by all accounts, she’s turned her viral moment into a lucrative business.
In fact, her “Hawk Tuah ’24” hats alone have generated over $65,000 in sales, proving that spitting (at least figuratively) can be profitable (The Direct)(Cirrkus News).
The Genius of the Absurd
At the end of the day, “spit on that thing” is one of those rare internet gems that defies explanation. It’s not supposed to make sense—that’s the point. The phrase, much like the “Hawk Tuah” meme, taps into our collective desire to embrace the bizarre, the nonsensical, and the unpredictable.
In a world where everything feels like it’s been dissected and explained to death, Hailey Welch gave us something we didn’t know we needed: pure, unfiltered, confusing fun. And let’s be honest—what more could we ask for?
So next time you hear someone say, “spit on that thing,” just remember: you don’t need to understand it to enjoy it.
