You Can't Just Say Perchance: Unpacking The Viral Mario Meme
In the vast, ever-evolving landscape of internet culture, certain phrases emerge from obscurity, latch onto our collective consciousness, and become instant classics. One such phrase that has tickled the funny bones of millions is, "You can't just say 'perchance'." It's a line that, on its own, seems utterly nonsensical, yet it perfectly encapsulates the delightful absurdity of online humor. If you've spent any time scrolling through social media feeds, especially around February 18th, 2022, you've likely encountered this peculiar admonition. But where did it come from? And why is it so hilariously effective? Let's dive into the bizarre origins of a meme that proves you really, truly, can't just say "perchance."
The Genesis: Mario, Philosophy, and a Questionable Essay
Our story begins, as many great internet sagas do, with an academic paper that wasn't quite academic. Perchance you've seen a supposed philosophy essay going viral online about Mario of Super Mario fame. Titled "Mario, the Idea vs. Mario, the Man," this document wasn't a scholarly work but rather a masterful piece of "shitposting," as many users correctly pointed out. It was never meant to be taken seriously, serving more as a vehicle for absurd philosophical musings than rigorous academic analysis. The author, Phil Jamesson, an actor and comedian who graduated from New York University in 2013, crafted a deliberately outlandish argument that quickly captured the internet's attention.
Mario, the One-Percenter?
The essay's premise was simple, yet hilariously convoluted: it posited Mario as a "one percenter" who "crushes turts" (turtles), gets the girl, and enjoys a life of luxury, complete with vacations and multiple cars, all while seemingly only having to pay taxes. It was a satirical take on the beloved plumber, reimagining him as a symbol of capitalist excess rather than a heroic rescuer. The paper was filled with jargon, loosely strung together to create an illusion of intellectual depth, while in reality, it made little to no logical sense. It didn't bring up any interesting points in a serious academic way; it was designed to be provocative and absurd.
The Fatal Flaw: A Teacher's Mark and a Single Word
The true genius of the meme, however, lies not just in the essay's content but in a specific detail that became its comedic core. Within the original essay, the word "perchance" was used. This archaic adverb, meaning "perhaps" or "by chance," is rarely heard in modern spoken English, making its inclusion in a pseudo-academic paper about Mario all the more jarring and pretentious. The legend goes that a teacher, marking the essay, highlighted this particular word, implying its inappropriate or overly formal usage. This seemingly minor detail sparked the entire phenomenon. The joke, then, is that someone says "Perchance" like the essay did, and then someone else replies with "You can't just say perchance," mimicking the perceived critique or simply the absurdity of its utterance.
The Meme Explodes: Why "You Can't Just Say X" Resonates
Once the essay, and particularly the "perchance" detail, hit social media, it exploded. On February 18th, 2022, the day the post was made, multiple Twitter users commented memes referencing it under the post, many based on the phrase "you can't just say 'perchance'." The meme quickly spread across platforms like Reddit, finding homes in communities like r/whenthe, where users revel in funny moving pictures with text. Its virality wasn't just about the word "perchance" itself, but about the broader comedic pattern it tapped into: the "you can't just say/do X" structure.
A Pattern of Absurdity: From Mean Girls to Doom Eternal
The humor of "you can't just say 'perchance'" isn't entirely new. It plays on a well-established comedic trope where someone states something so obviously out of place, inappropriate, or simply ridiculous, that another person has to point out the glaring social faux pas. This structure resonates because we've seen it before in iconic pop culture moments:
- "Oh My God, Karen, You Can’t Just Ask Someone Why They’re White!" This classic line from the film Mean Girls is perhaps the most direct predecessor. In the film, Karen Smith asks Cady Heron, “So if you’re from Africa, why are you white?” to which Gretchen Wieners admonishes, “Oh my god, Karen, you can’t just ask someone why they’re white!” The humor comes from Karen's innocent but utterly tone-deaf question, and Gretchen's exasperated correction.
- "You Can't Just Shoot A Hole Into The Surface Of Mars." Fans of Doom Eternal will recognize this memorable quote. The character Samuel Hayden delivers this line to the Doomslayer prior to a mission, highlighting the sheer audacity and destructive power of the protagonist. It's a statement of incredulity at an extreme action.
These examples demonstrate that the "you can't just say/do X" format is inherently funny because it highlights a violation of unspoken rules or common sense. "Perchance" fits perfectly into this mold. It's not just a word; it's a statement of an unwritten rule being broken, a linguistic gaffe so out of place that it demands correction.
The Enduring Legacy of "Perchance"
Today, the word "perchance" has largely shed its archaic dictionary definition in the popular consciousness, becoming almost exclusively associated with this meme. As one user aptly put it, "I don’t think I’ve ever heard a modern speaker use the word perchance, except in reference to a specific meme ('you can’t just say perchance')." It's a testament to the power of internet culture that a single, obscure word, plucked from a satirical essay, can be redefined by collective humor.
The "you can't just say perchance" meme is more than just a fleeting viral trend; it's a microcosm of how internet humor works. It takes something seemingly mundane (an essay, a word), finds an absurd angle, and then amplifies it through repetition and relatable comedic structures. It's a reminder that sometimes, the funniest things come from the most unexpected places, proving that while creativity knows no bounds, some words simply don't belong in every sentence. It's a phrase that brings a smile to our faces, a little inside joke for anyone who spends time online, and a definitive answer to the question: can you just say "perchance"? No, you can't.
Final Summary: The "You can't just say perchance" meme originated from a satirical "philosophy" essay titled "Mario, the Idea vs. Mario, the Man" by comedian Phil Jamesson, which humorously portrayed Mario as a "one-percenter." The meme gained traction on February 18th, 2022, after a teacher's supposed mark on the essay highlighted the archaic use of "perchance." Its humor stems from the juxtaposition of the formal word with an absurd context, fitting into a broader comedic pattern seen in memes like "Oh my God, Karen, You Can’t Just Ask Someone Why They’re White!" and "You Can't Just Shoot A Hole Into The Surface Of Mars," where a speaker violates an unspoken social or logical rule. Today, "perchance" is almost exclusively linked to this viral internet phenomenon, showcasing how online culture can redefine language and create enduring comedic gold.
Mario, the Idea vs. Mario, the Man | Know Your Meme
"You can't just say perchance" - iFunny
you cant just say perchance | Fandom
