Also known originally as the Feels Guy, the Wojak meme (sometimes misspelled as Wojack) is a crude illustration of a bald man—spawned a host of other offshoot characters—commonly used to convey sad or melancholy emotions.
But where did Wojak, arguably one of the internet’s most versatile memes, come from?
The Wojak meme’s humble beginnings
While Wojak’s exact origins aren’t confirmed, the internet culture encyclopedia Know Your Meme says that the illustration may have been discovered in 2009 on an imageboard known as Vichan.
The image was subsequently shared to the German imageboard Krautchan in 2010 by a user called “wojak,” and thus a meme was born.
Wojak eventually became a popular meme on the imageboard 4chan, which thrust the illustration into the mainstream.
I know that feel bro
One of the first popular variations to emerge from the original illustration showed two Wojaks embracing one another with a hug.
The phrase “I know that feel bro” was added to the top of the image. The image is intended to convey empathy and is often used when someone agrees with another’s opinion or feelings.
The phrase “that feel when” was also regularly used to begin a sentence that described an emotional topic or incident.
Wojak meme variations
As Wojak became an increasingly popular way for people to express themselves, the image began branching out into an endless stream of variations designed to fit every person and situation.
The Crying Wojak, for example, is commonly used to mock someone who is doesn’t get their way.
The NPC Wojak shows a gray version of the character with an expressionless face. NPC Wojak is regularly used to mock groups of people who all hold the same views, also sometimes referred to as “sheep.”
The Soyboy Wojak, also known as the Soyjack, is another character used to mock what are said to be effeminate and nerdy men who usually are photographed with their mouths opened excitedly. The Soyjack can be seen with a poorly grown beard, or “neck beard,” and usually excitedly carries a Nintendo Switch console.
The variations are endless. Some other Wojaks viewers might recognize include: Big Brain Wojak and Pink Wojak as well as the Doomer, Coomer, Gloomer, Consoomer, and Zoomer, among others.
Female Wojaks
While Wojak is mostly depicted as male, female versions exist, too.
The Doomer Girl, known for her all-black hair, eyes, sweatshirt, and choker, is one of the most popular variations. Also known as Doomerette, the character usually interacts with her male counterpart Doomer and is depicted as understanding of his woes.
Another is Trad Girl or Tradwife, a popular blonde character wearing a floral dress that is known for her conservative values.
Tradwife, who was popularized on 4chan, is shown as subservient to men and at times in opposition to liberal women and values.
Wifejak and Husbandjak
The Wifejak has long red hair, freckles and wears a little bit of makeup. The stereotypical basic wife or girlfriend, she wears a gray sweater and a necklace around her neck. Wifejak memes are usually paired with phrases or questions such as “I just threw 30 boxes into the garage” and “Where are we going this weekend?”
Husbandjak is basic Wifejak’s basic husband. Husbandjaks come in a variety of hair colors and outfits—some wear tees or plaid collared shirts, and they often sport either stubble or a full beard.
Chudjak
The Chudjak was modeled after the perpetrator of the 2019 Walmart mass shooting in El Paso, Texas. There are many variations of this Wojak, but they have a similar short haircut, square-rimmed glasses, and furrowed, angry forehead lines. He’s often depicted crying in anger.
What A Boring Guy
The ‘What A Boring Guy’ meme features the 38-year-old Consoomer, a Wojak created by Twitter user @mashcore4mums on November 9, 2019, and the Doomer Tradwife. The Doomer Tradwife (sometimes called the Anarchist Tradwife), is the flipside of the Trad Wife Wojak with blonde hair in the blue dress, credited to Instagram user @anarcho.tradwifeism on December 27, 2019.
The meme itself depicts the Doomer Tradwife as a character with narrow interests who assumes the man she’s speaking to has even less. However, the preponderance of symbols floating above him implies he’s got quite a lot going on in his mind and that the woman’s snap judgment was wrong.
It is often used humorously to portray the very particular or niche interests a man might have.
Wojak Comics
Wojak Comics are what tie the Wojak universe together. Wojak Comics show interactions between different Wojak characters and can be used to describe just about any scenario.
Although Wojaks were seen interacting prior, the popular “Yes Chad” meme, which shows a blonde-haired male Wojak simply replying “yes” to certain statements, popularized the format.
Given how easily Wojak can be used to portray nearly any event or feeling from the human experience, it’s doubtful it will go away anytime soon.
