If you’ve spent any time on the corner of the internet that loves niche comedy, "but in the clerb we all fam" is more than just a weirdly spelled sentence. It’s a whole mood. It’s a philosophy of chaotic unity. Honestly, it’s arguably one of the most enduring artifacts from the Comedy Central era of the mid-2010s.
Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer didn’t just make a show about two girls in New York; they created a lexicon.
The phrase comes from a very specific moment in Broad City history. Season 2, Episode 6. The episode is "The Matrix." Our protagonists are trying to navigate the high-octane, sweat-soaked environment of a New York City nightclub. Abbi is struggling. She’s overwhelmed. But Ilana, ever the spirit animal of hedonism and loyalty, drops the line that would eventually be plastered across millions of GIFs, tote bags, and late-night tweets: "But in the clerb, we all fam."
It’s stupid. It’s perfect. It’s exactly how someone sounds when they are three drinks in and trying to explain sociology to a friend who just wants to go home and eat pizza.
The Linguistic Magic of the Clerb
Why "clerb"? Language is weird. Linguists often talk about "phonetic stretching" or "vowel shifting" in slang, but in the case of Broad City, it’s simpler. It’s about the "stoner-inflected" New York accent that Ilana Glazer perfected. To say "club" is boring. It’s clinical. To say "clerb" implies a level of intoxication and intimacy that the standard English language just can’t touch.
The phrase works because it subverts the reality of what a nightclub actually is.
Let's be real. Most clubs are terrible. They are loud, the drinks are overpriced, and the bathroom floors are a biohazard. Yet, the sentiment of "we all fam" suggests a temporary utopia. For that one hour, under the strobe lights, the social hierarchy supposedly dissolves. You aren't strangers; you’re a family of sweaty, dancing disasters.
This specific brand of "found family" is what made Broad City a cultural touchstone. It wasn't just about being funny. It was about the intense, borderline codependent bond between two women who viewed the world through a lens of extreme inclusivity—unless you were a "Bev," of course.
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The Viral Lifecycle of a Broad City Quote
Usually, memes die. They have a shelf life of about three weeks before they become "cringe" and end up in a corporate LinkedIn post. But in the clerb we all fam has managed to dodge the reaper.
Why? Because it’s adaptable.
People use it for everything now.
- Seeing a group of strangers wearing the same obscure band t-shirt at a concert? In the clerb, we all fam. - Watching a bunch of people on Reddit come together to solve a weird mystery? In the clerb, we all fam.
- A literal family reunion that gets a bit too rowdy? Well, you get it.
It has transitioned from a specific TV quote to a general shorthand for "we are all in this mess together." It’s an equalizer. In an era where the internet feels increasingly fractured and hostile, there’s something genuinely comforting about the idea that, in the metaphorical "clerb" of life, we’re a family. Even if that family is dysfunctional and currently yelling over a bass drop.
The Context Most People Forget
In the actual episode, the context is actually a bit darker than the meme suggests. Abbi and Ilana are essentially having a communal breakdown while trying to find their way through the city. The "clerb" isn't just a place; it's a state of mind they use to cope with the absurdity of their lives.
When Ilana says it, she’s trying to reassure Abbi (and herself) that they belong somewhere. Even if that "somewhere" is a crowded room full of people they don't know. It’s a defense mechanism.
We often forget that Broad City was actually quite smart about social anxiety. Abbi’s constant quest for validation and Ilana’s relentless bravado were two sides of the same coin. The quote represents the moment those two energies meet. It’s the peak of Ilana’s optimism being forced upon Abbi’s realism.
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Why We Still Quote Broad City in 2026
It’s been years since the series finale aired in 2019. Usually, by now, the cultural conversation has moved on to the next big thing on a streaming service nobody can afford. But the "clerb" stays relevant because the show’s ethos was ahead of its time.
Abbi and Ilana weren’t "girlbosses." They were "girls-who-are-trying-their-best-but-failing-spectacularly." That’s much more relatable.
When you say "but in the clerb we all fam," you’re signaling that you value community over perfection. You’re saying you’re okay with the mess. You’re acknowledging that while the world outside is a dumpster fire, at least we’re standing around it together.
The show’s impact on comedy can’t be overstated. You can see the DNA of Broad City in shows like Hacks, Pen15, and even The Bear (in its frantic energy, if not its humor). It gave permission for female characters to be gross, loud, and unapologetically obsessed with each other.
The "Fam" Element: More Than Just Slang
The word "fam" has its own complicated history, rooted in Black English Vernacular (AAVE) before being adopted—and often co-opted—by broader internet culture. In the context of the show, Ilana’s character often teetered on the edge of cultural appropriation, a nuance that critics and the creators themselves have discussed in the years since.
Ilana Wexler was a character who desperately wanted to be "down," often to a cringeworthy degree.
That’s part of the joke. The humor comes from her over-the-top performance of "coolness." When she says "we all fam," she’s leaning into that persona. It’s a performance of solidarity that is both sincere and hilariously misguided. It’s that layer of self-awareness that keeps the line from being purely annoying. The show knows she’s being "extra."
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How to Use the Phrase Today Without Being Cringe
If you’re going to drop this in the group chat, you’ve gotta know the rules. It’s all about the delivery. You can’t use it for something actually serious.
If you use it at a funeral, you’re a monster.
If you use it after your friend gets a promotion, it’s a bit weird.
The sweet spot is shared struggle. Late-night study sessions. Waiting in a three-hour line for limited-edition sneakers. Standing in the rain because the Uber is "2 minutes away" for the fifth time. These are the moments where the clerb spirit truly lives. It’s for the collective "oof."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to channel that specific Broad City energy in your own life or content, there are a few takeaways that go deeper than just a funny quote.
- Embrace the "Clerb" Mentality in Branding: If you’re a creator, stop trying to be polished. People are tired of the "curated aesthetic." They want the "clerb." They want the raw, slightly chaotic, "we’re all in this together" vibe. Community-led growth is just a fancy marketing term for "in the clerb we all fam."
- Support the Creators: Abbi Jacobson has gone on to do incredible things with the A League of Their Own series, and Ilana Glazer continues to crush it in stand-up and film (False Positive, Babes). Following their post-clerb careers is the best way to keep the spirit of the show alive.
- Watch the Source Material: If you’ve only seen the GIFs, go back and watch "The Matrix" (Season 2, Episode 6). It’s a masterclass in physical comedy and editing. Seeing the line in its original habitat makes it ten times funnier.
- Use it as a Social Icebreaker: Honestly, quoting this in the wild is a great litmus test for finding your people. If someone responds with "yas queen" or just a knowing nod, you’ve found a member of the fam. If they look at you like you’re having a stroke, move on. They aren't in the clerb.
The reality is that "but in the clerb we all fam" isn't just about a nightclub. It’s a reminder that human connection is often found in the most ridiculous places. It’s about the brief moments of clarity where the barriers we build between ourselves and strangers come down.
Maybe we aren't all "fam" in the literal sense. But as long as the internet keeps this phrase alive, we can at least pretend we are for a few seconds. And sometimes, in a world that feels increasingly isolated, that’s more than enough.
Next time you find yourself in a chaotic situation with a group of people you barely know, just remember Ilana’s wisdom. Take a breath, look around, and realize that you aren't alone in the mess. You’re just in the clerb. And in the clerb, well... you know the rest.