You know the feeling. You're scrolling through a chaotic group chat or a heated Twitter thread, and someone drops a clip of four dancing cats where one is clearly a raccoon in a costume. Or maybe it's three serious politicians and one guy accidentally eating his own pen. That specific one of these things is not like the other gif is the universal shorthand for "someone doesn't belong here." It is the internet's favorite way to point out an imposter without saying a single word.
Honestly, it’s a bit weird how a song from a 1969 children’s show became the backbone of modern digital snark. But here we are.
The meme stems from Sesame Street. Specifically, a segment designed by Joe Raposo and Jon Stone to teach preschoolers basic categorization skills. In the original show, the camera would pan across four objects—maybe three apples and a banana—while a catchy, slightly repetitive tune played. It was simple. It was educational. Fast forward fifty years, and that same logic is being used to roast professional athletes, corporate boardrooms, and poorly photoshopped celebrity groups.
The Psychology of the "Odd One Out"
Why does this specific format work so well? Humans are hardwired for pattern recognition. From an evolutionary standpoint, noticing the one berry that looks different from the rest of the bush was literally a matter of life or death. Our brains get a tiny, microscopic hit of dopamine when we identify a discrepancy.
When you use a one of these things is not like the other gif, you aren't just sharing a joke. You're inviting the viewer to participate in a shared cognitive puzzle. It’s an "I see it, do you see it?" moment.
Think about the "Among Us" craze of 2020. That entire game was basically a playable version of this GIF. We are obsessed with the "imposter." Whether it’s a Golden Retriever sitting in a row of statues or a single person wearing a neon shirt at a funeral, the visual punchline is immediate. You don't need a caption. The movement does the talking.
Where the Best Versions Come From
You’ve likely seen the classics. There is the legendary clip of the hushed, professional choir where one singer is absolutely losing their mind with expressive facial movements. That’s top-tier "one of these things is not like the other" energy.
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Then there are the animal ones.
- The capybara sitting among a group of crocodiles.
- The husky living with a dozen cats and starting to sit like them.
- The sheep that thinks it’s a sheepdog.
These work because they subvert expectations. According to digital culture researchers, the most viral GIFs in this category follow what is known as the Incongruity Theory of Humor. We laugh because our brain expects a pattern to continue, and when it breaks, the surprise triggers a laugh response.
The variety is endless. Some people use the classic 8-bit Sesame Street animation for nostalgia. Others prefer the high-def "glitch in the matrix" style clips. You see it a lot in sports commentary too. If a defender is running the wrong way while the rest of the team chases the ball, the "one of these things is not like the other" tag is inevitable.
The Sesame Street Legacy
It is worth noting that Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind the show, accidentally created one of the most durable templates in media history. The song has been covered by everyone from The Muppets to various rock bands.
"One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?"
The lyrics are ingrained in the collective consciousness of anyone born after 1965. When you see the GIF, you hear the music. Even if the GIF is silent. That is what we call "sensory association," and it’s a huge reason why this meme hasn't died out like Harlem Shake or Doge. It has roots. It has history.
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How to Use Them Without Being Cringe
There is an art to deploying a one of these things is not like the other gif correctly. If you use it for something too obvious, it’s boring. The "sweet spot" is finding a subtle difference that takes a second to notice.
- The Political "Call Out": This is common during summits or group photos of world leaders. If everyone is in a black suit and one person is in a bright tracksuit, the GIF is mandatory.
- The "Spot the Main Character" vibe: In anime or movies, the protagonist often has wild hair while the background characters are plain.
- Corporate Satire: Posting this in a Slack channel when a new, bizarre software tool is introduced alongside standard apps? Peak office humor.
Be careful with the tone. Sometimes, using this GIF can feel exclusionary or mean-spirited if it's used to mock someone's appearance or a mistake that wasn't funny. The best versions are lighthearted—situations where the "odd one out" is either accidental or charmingly defiant.
Technical Tips for Finding the Perfect Clip
If you're hunting for the right one, don't just search the full phrase. You'll get too many low-quality results.
Try searching for "imposter GIF" or "odd one out" on platforms like GIPHY or Tenor. You can also look for "Sesame Street game" if you want the vintage aesthetic.
A lot of the best versions aren't actually labeled with the song lyrics. They are just clips of people or animals failing to blend in. The human brain does the labeling for you.
Interestingly, the "Among Us" era changed the metadata for these searches. Now, if you look for this kind of content, you'll see a lot of red astronauts. But the "Old Internet" still prefers the animals and the awkward humans.
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Why This Meme Will Probably Outlive Us All
Internet trends usually have the shelf life of an open carton of milk. Not this one.
The concept is too fundamental to fail. As long as there are groups of things, there will be one thing that is slightly different. As long as there is contrast, there is a joke to be made.
It’s also incredibly versatile. You can use it to talk about serious social issues—like the lack of diversity in a corporate photo—or you can use it to show a puppy sitting in a bowl of oranges. It scales. It adapts.
Actionable Steps for Meme Enthusiasts
To make the most of this cultural staple, keep a few "blank" versions in your favorites.
- Find a High-Res Original: Keep a clip of the original Sesame Street animation for when you want to be "meta."
- Vary Your Sources: Don't just rely on the first page of Google. Look through Reddit threads like r/mildlyinteresting or r/funny for unique "odd one out" photos that you can turn into your own GIFs.
- Check the Context: Before sending, make sure the "thing that is not like the others" isn't something sensitive. Humor works best when it's punching up or just being silly.
- Create Your Own: Use a phone app like GIPHY Cam to film your own "one of these things" moments. Maybe it's your one blue sock in a drawer of black ones. Personal memes always hit harder in small group chats.
The staying power of the one of these things is not like the other gif lies in its simplicity. It takes a complex observation and boils it down to a four-second loop. It’s the ultimate "if you know, you know" tool. So next time you see something that just doesn't fit, don't write a paragraph. Just find the GIF and let the Muppet-inspired logic do the heavy lifting for you.