Internet Culture

Reddit’s r/behindthegifs puts your favorite wacky GIFs in context

Ever wonder why everyone was kicking that trashcan?

Photo of Cynthia McKelvey

Cynthia McKelvey

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Part of what makes gifs so glorious is their total lack of context. It makes them funnier, more versatile to use as a part of conversation when you can apply your own context.

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But if you’ve ever really wanted to know the true story behind your favorite GIFs, look no further than Reddit‘s r/behindthegifs.

Take, for instance, this trashcan with a rather unpopular opinion:

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/r/behindthegifs

Or this one, about an ambitious turtle.

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View post on imgur.com

A lot of the submissions are dominated by one user, KatSwenski, who took a multi-GIF approach to solving the dumpster fire that is 2016.

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Doggy Duplicator (Happy Dog Day!)

Swenski also made this one, about a robot scorned.

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Karen No

All of Swenski’s comics are viewable on her website, where she also takes commissions.

But the inspiration for the subreddit started with a simple premise.

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https://imgur.com/gallery/zVnbZ

And now it’s become a way to explain the unexplainable.

HAHEHEUHA THAT TICKLES
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The Daily Dot has reached out to Swenski about her impressive GIF backstories and is awaiting a response.

 
The Daily Dot