Honestly, it’s a bit weird if you think about it. Kermit the Frog was supposed to be the moral compass of our childhood. He was the guy—or frog, I guess—singing about rainbows and how hard it is to be green. But if you scroll through Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) today, he’s mostly just the king of passive-aggression.
The Kermit the Frog meme didn't just happen; it practically colonized the internet.
Why is a felt puppet from the 1950s still the go-to way to tell someone their life is a mess? It’s because Kermit represents a specific type of polite exhaustion that we all feel in the 2020s. We aren't screaming; we’re just sipping tea and watching the world burn.
The Sip Heard ‘Round the World
Most people think the tea-sipping meme came from a TV show. It didn't.
It actually started with a Lipton Iced Tea commercial that aired back in 2014. In the ad, Kermit is minding his own business on a NYC balcony while chaos ensues around him. He takes a calm, deliberate sip of tea. That was it. That was the spark.
By June 2014, an Instagram account named @kermitbelike started pairing that image with the caption "But that's none of my business." It was an instant hit. Why? Because it gave us a socially acceptable way to be incredibly judgmental.
It’s the ultimate "I told you so" without having to actually say it.
From Tea to Hoodies: The Rise of Evil Kermit
If "Tea Kermit" is our external polite shell, "Evil Kermit" is the voice in our heads. You know the one. It’s the voice that tells you to stay up until 3:00 AM watching 15-year-old vine compilations when you have a meeting at 8:00 AM.
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This image—Kermit talking to a hooded, Sith-like version of himself—actually comes from the 2014 movie Muppets Most Wanted. The "evil" frog is actually Constantine, a world-class criminal who looks exactly like Kermit.
Twitter user Anya posted the first viral version of this in 2016. The joke was simple:
- Me: I see a fluffy dog, I should pet it.
- Inner Me: Steal it.
The meme works because it visualizes the id. It’s that constant tug-of-war between being a functional adult and being a total agent of chaos.
Why the Kermit the Frog Meme Won’t Die
Memes usually have the shelf life of a banana. They’re funny for three days, then they’re on your aunt’s Facebook page, and then they’re dead. But Kermit is different.
The Kermit the Frog meme has stayed relevant for over a decade. According to data from 2025, Kermit-related searches still spike every time there’s a major political scandal or a messy celebrity breakup. He is the internet’s unofficial mascot for "the drama."
There’s a deep irony here. Jim Henson created Kermit to be an avatar of sincerity. Now, he’s an avatar of irony.
The "Kermit Falling" Phenomenon
Then you have the more absurdist side of the spectrum. Have you seen the video of the Kermit puppet "falling" off a building? It’s grainy, it’s shaky, and it’s hilarious for reasons that are hard to explain.
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It’s a bit of "anti-humor." There is no punchline. It’s just a frog hitting the pavement. In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, seeing a beloved childhood icon plummeting to the ground somehow feels like a metaphor for... everything?
Experts in digital rhetoric, like Dr. Jessy Ohl, have actually studied this. They argue that using Kermit allows us to process complex, often negative emotions through a lens of nostalgia. It’s safer to be sad or mean if a puppet is doing it for you.
The Business of Being a Green Meme
Believe it or not, this has real-world consequences. Lipton saw a massive, albeit unofficial, boost in brand recognition because of the tea meme. In 2026, brands are still trying to catch that lightning in a bottle.
But it’s risky.
When Disney (who owns the Muppets) or big corporations try to use the Kermit the Frog meme, it often feels... off. A "corporate" meme is like your dad trying to use Gen Z slang at the dinner table. It’s cringe. The power of the Kermit meme lies in its grassroots, slightly "shady" origins.
It wasn't created by a marketing team. It was created by people who were tired of their coworkers' drama.
Beyond the Screen: Cultural Impact
Kermit has become a "reaction" king. He’s not just a character anymore; he’s a piece of punctuation.
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- Biting his nails: Anxiety.
- Scrunched face: Disgust.
- Typing furiously: When someone says something wrong on the internet.
He’s the most versatile actor in history, and he’s made of green felt.
The Muppets have actually acknowledged this. There have been moments where the official Muppet social media accounts lean into the sass, but they have to be careful. They have a "wholesome" brand to protect, even if the internet has other plans.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re looking to use Kermit in your own content or just want to understand why your group chat is full of frogs, keep these things in mind:
- Context is everything. Don't use "Tea Kermit" for something that isn't actually a "judgment" moment. It loses the sting.
- Avoid the "Brand" trap. If you’re a business, don't just post a Kermit meme because it’s Tuesday. It has to feel organic to the conversation.
- Check the origin. Some Kermit memes get pretty dark. Make sure you aren't accidentally sharing something that’s actually a "distorted" or "creepy" version of the frog unless that's the vibe you're going for.
Basically, the Kermit the Frog meme is our collective mirror. Whether he's drinking tea, wearing a dark cloak, or typing away at a laptop, he’s just us. Tired, judgmental, slightly chaotic, and always looking for the next rainbow connection—or at least the next cup of tea.
The best way to stay ahead of the next wave is to watch how the "remixes" happen. The tea is always brewing; you just have to decide if you're going to sip it or spill it.
Next Steps for Your Meme Strategy:
- Audit your current reaction images. If you’re still using the 2014 Lipton still, try looking for the "Kermit at the window" variant for more pensive, relatable vibes.
- Monitor "Muppet-core" trends. In 2026, we’re seeing a shift toward more high-definition, video-based Kermit memes rather than just static images.
- Understand the "Id" vs. "Superego" balance. Use Evil Kermit only when the "bad" decision is actually relatable, not just mean.