Memes usually die fast. They burn bright for three days and then vanish into the digital graveyard of Twitter threads and forgotten Reddit subs. But then there’s what if we kissed, a phrase that feels like it’s been part of the internet’s DNA since forever. You’ve seen it. You’ve probably sent it. It’s that weird, surrealist blend of irony and genuine vulnerability that somehow survived the transition from 2010s irony to 2020s post-irony.
It’s funny. It’s awkward.
Honestly, the whole thing started with a level of sincerity that would make modern TikTokers cringe. We're talking about the era of Pinterest-style "aesthetic" photography—sunsets, filtered lens flares, and those tiny figures standing on a hill. The original 2014 iteration was literally just a picture of a couple with the text "What if we kissed?" in a soft font. It was meant to be romantic. It was meant to be deep. Instead, the internet did what it does best: it broke it.
The Surreal Evolution of What If We Kissed
The turning point happened when people realized the phrase worked much better in places where kissing is the last thing you should be doing.
Think about the "What if we kissed in the Battle Bus" or "What if we kissed in the Walmart dairy aisle" variations. The humor comes from the jarring contrast between a high-stakes or completely mundane environment and the sudden, intense intimacy of a romantic proposition. It’s a subversion of expectations.
In 2019, the meme peaked again with the "What if we kissed in the Lincoln Memorial" edit, which featured a Minecraft version of the monument. This specific moment turned the meme into a template for surrealism. It wasn't about the kiss anymore. It was about the location. The more absurd the location, the better the joke landed. This is a classic example of "sh*tposting" culture where the original meaning is stripped away and replaced with something chaotic.
Researchers who study digital linguistics, like Gretchen McCulloch, author of Because Internet, often point out that memes like this function as a shorthand for emotional states. Saying "what if we kissed" isn't an invitation to make out; it’s a way to signal that you’re participating in a specific brand of self-aware, slightly lonely, very online humor.
Why the Meme Refuses to Die
You’d think we’d be bored by now. We aren't.
Part of the longevity comes from the flexibility of the format. Most memes have a rigid structure, but what if we kissed is basically a linguistic "Mad Libs." You take a universal human desire (connection) and drop it into a ridiculous context (the garbage compactor from Star Wars).
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- It captures the "situationship" energy of the modern era.
- It functions as a low-stakes way to flirt without actually flirting.
- It taps into the "liminal space" aesthetic—creepy, empty places that feel like a dream.
There is a psychological layer here, too. The "what if" is a hypothetical. It removes the risk of rejection because it's wrapped in ten layers of irony. If someone says "no," you just say it was a meme. It's a safety net for the socially anxious.
The Role of Liminal Spaces
Around 2020, the meme merged with the "Liminal Spaces" and "The Backrooms" trends. Suddenly, the question wasn't being asked at a party; it was being asked in an empty, fluorescent-lit hallway or a deserted shopping mall at 3 AM. This added a layer of "weirdcore" to the mix.
The juxtaposition of a romantic cliché with an unsettling, empty environment created a vibe that resonated deeply with people during the isolation of the pandemic. It felt like the world was ending, so... what if we kissed in the abandoned Sears? It’s a nihilistic kind of romanticism.
The Business of Irony
Believe it or not, brands tried to jump on this. Usually, when a brand uses a meme, it's the kiss of death. But what if we kissed proved surprisingly resilient. Why? Because the meme is inherently making fun of itself.
When a brand like Slim Jim or Wendy’s uses it, they aren't trying to be cool; they're leaning into the absurdity. They know it's a joke. You know it's a joke. Everyone is in on it. That’s the secret sauce of internet longevity. If a meme requires you to take it seriously to work, it’ll die. If it thrives on being mocked, it’s immortal.
Comparing the Different Eras of the Meme
If we look at how the meme changed over the decade, it follows a very specific trajectory of internet literacy.
The Sincere Era (2014-2016): Mostly used on Tumblr and Pinterest. The images were actually "pretty." The font was usually a serif or a delicate script. It was used by teenagers who were actually thinking about kissing.
The Irony Era (2017-2019): This is where the Minecraft and Roblox versions took over. Deep-fried filters, distorted audio, and "impact" font. The locations started getting weird. This is the era of the "What if we kissed in the Gucci store (jk... unless?)" variation.
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The Existential Era (2020-Present): The meme becomes more about the setting than the act. It’s paired with 3D renders of surreal landscapes or abandoned 90s play-places. It feels less like a joke and more like a mood.
The "Unless?" Clause
We can't talk about what if we kissed without mentioning the "unless?" addition.
Adding "jk... unless?" to the end of the phrase is a masterpiece of modern communication. It’s a double-reversal. You’re joking, but you’re also acknowledging that you might not be joking, but you’re definitely joking if the other person thinks it’s weird. It’s the ultimate linguistic "get out of jail free" card.
It’s basically the digital version of poking someone and then running away. It allows for a weirdly honest moment of vulnerability that is immediately retracted. In a world where everything is recorded and screenshotted, this kind of deniability is gold.
Real-World Impact and Social Media Usage
On platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the meme has evolved into a visual format. Creators use "POV" (Point of View) videos to place the viewer in these bizarre scenarios.
- A creator films themselves in a weirdly specific location.
- The text overlay asks the question.
- The music is usually something slowed-down or "reverb" heavy to enhance the atmosphere.
This isn't just about likes; it's about community building. When you interact with a "what if we kissed" post, you're signaling that you understand a decade's worth of internet history. You're part of the "in" crowd that knows the difference between a Tier 1 meme and a Tier 5 meme.
Misconceptions About Meme Longevity
A lot of "experts" claim that memes are getting shorter. They say the attention span of Gen Z and Gen Alpha is so fried that a meme can't last more than a week.
What if we kissed proves them wrong.
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The reason it survives isn't because it’s "sticky" in a marketing sense. It’s because it’s a foundational trope. It’s like a knock-knock joke or a "yo mama" joke. It’s a structure that can hold any content you pour into it. It’s not a specific image; it’s a conversational framework.
How to Use the Phrase Without Cringing
If you're going to use the what if we kissed trope today, you have to be careful. You can't just post a picture of a park bench. That's "normie" territory.
To make it work in 2026, you have to lean into the hyper-specific.
"What if we kissed in the Spirit Halloween that used to be a Circuit City?"
"What if we kissed while waiting for the firmware update on our smart fridge?"
The more specific the "where," the more effective the "what." It requires a certain level of cultural awareness regarding the places we inhabit—both physical and digital. It’s about the shared experience of being in a slightly broken, slightly absurd world.
The Actionable Insight: Navigating Digital Irony
Understanding what if we kissed is actually a great crash course in how to communicate in the 2020s. Whether you're a creator, a brand, or just someone trying to understand what your younger cousins are laughing at, the lessons are the same.
- Embrace the Absurd: Don't try to make sense of everything. Sometimes the lack of logic is the point.
- Vulnerability via Irony: Use humor to broach topics that feel too "heavy" for direct conversation. It's a valid way to connect.
- Context is Everything: The "where" matters more than the "what." In digital spaces, the environment dictates the meaning of the message.
- Keep it Short: The punchline should always be the priority. Don't over-explain the joke.
If you want to actually use this in your own content or social life, start by identifying "non-places"—those weird spots like airport terminals, hotel hallways, or empty parking lots. Those are the heart of the meme's current iteration. Drop the phrase there, add a "jk... unless?" and you’re officially participating in one of the longest-running jokes in internet history.
The meme isn't going anywhere. As long as humans have the desire to connect and the ability to find the world ridiculous, we'll keep asking that same question in the weirdest places possible. It’s a small, stupid way of saying we’re all in this weirdness together.
Next Steps for Mastering Internet Trends
To stay ahead of how these tropes evolve, pay attention to "niche" communities on Discord or smaller subreddits. This is where the next iteration of what if we kissed is being cooked up right now. Look for patterns where people take something sentimental and pair it with something "liminal" or "corporate." That’s usually where the gold is.
Instead of looking for the next big meme, look for the next way to break an old one. That’s how you stay relevant in a digital landscape that moves at the speed of light. Forget the "top 10 memes of the year" lists; they're already outdated by the time they’re published. Just watch how people are talking to each other. The irony is the message.