Gentlemen

added Mar 11, 2009 at 08:39PM UTC

15 Comments
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About

“Gentlemen” is one of many character catchphrases that comes from the Source game Team Fortress 2 by Valve Software.

The game’s “Spy” character frequently uttered “Gentlemen”, then puts a cigarette in his mouth.

From this the ’chans created an image macro. An OP starts a thread with the Gentlemen image, others reply with the same, ad infinitum, and the universe divides by zero.

One of the originals:

…many MS Paint remixes followed.

“Gentlemen” was even one of many memes used in /b/’s infamous trolling of Tom Green.

On 4chan, June 5th has been declared the “Gentlemen’s Holiday” which bans the use of the “Gentlemen” or the starting of a “Gentlemen” thread on any day but June 5th.

More than a video game reference.

Simply repeating a catchphrase by itself is not really enough to constitute a meme. The act of repeating a catchphrase is one manifestation of a larger meme.

Take for instance, how “The Cake Is a Lie” exists primarily as a reference to the game Portal but is not substantial enough to have taken on non-Portal related memes that can exist on their own. “The Cake is a Lie” is a central joke within the game, and is a common experience to all who have played the game. Thus, “The Cake Is a Lie” only functions as a portion of the larger Portal game.

But the immense amount of original content behind “Gentlemen” has solidified its place as a solid Intenet Meme.

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15 Comments

Xander C
Jun 05, 2009 at 04:33AM UTC , Xander C wrote:

Does anyone else think of ATHF’s Dr. Weird when they hear the line “Gentlemen”? To me, it’s what maes this meme from epic-lulz to bacon-lulz.

Kilroy
Jul 01, 2009 at 02:06AM UTC , Kilroy wrote:

Just for clarification, the Garry’s Mod Picture of the RED Spy, NOT the MSPaint version came first. The picture that I’m talking about is http://knowyourmeme.com/i/703/original/Gentlementf2.jpg

LALELILOLUL LULOLILELAL
Jul 20, 2009 at 02:40AM UTC , LALELILOLUL LULOLILELAL wrote:

i lol’d

Flash
Jul 20, 2009 at 06:54AM UTC , Flash wrote:

MsPaint version is funnier IMO

Clinton
Jul 25, 2009 at 06:48AM UTC , Clinton wrote:

No awesome smiley or shoop da whoop face ones? <.<

William Brayton
Aug 03, 2009 at 03:27AM UTC , William Brayton wrote:

I’m surprised no one has done the “Spy’s Sappin’ My ….” There is even a song called “Spy Sappin’ My Sammich now”

Keegan
Aug 18, 2009 at 12:05PM UTC , Keegan wrote:

“No awesome smiley or shoop da whoop face ones?” there is now

wuzzle2
Oct 10, 2009 at 02:08AM UTC , wuzzle2 wrote:

LOL

DrMarioKing
Dec 05, 2009 at 02:13AM UTC , DrMarioKing wrote:

BEST FUCKING MEME EVER

Lanthus [Karma Proof mode activated]
Dec 08, 2009 at 11:24AM UTC , Lanthus [Karma Proof mode activated] wrote:

tl;dr version
The main difference of this and the cake is a lie is THERE’S MSPAINTS OF THIS IT HAS TO BE A MEME!!!!

Abstract37
Feb 06, 2010 at 04:39PM UTC , Abstract37 wrote:

I find a high degree of similarity of this with Homer in that Monorail episode; I’ll just leave that picture in this section.

TheErwinator
Feb 06, 2010 at 05:29PM UTC , TheErwinator wrote:

Hm. Still some spell checking to do. And BTW, he doesn’t use ‘Gentlemen’ when he does the cigarette taunt, but it’s frequently triggered after a match begins.

Masem
Feb 14, 2010 at 06:46PM UTC , Masem wrote:

Recurrence in this video ~4:30 in (and knowing the TF2 community, the video will gain a lot of exposure). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GNnftq744I

Vlad
Mar 01, 2010 at 11:48PM UTC , Vlad wrote:

I remember this! The “Gentlemen?” Poster was originally a Preloader for a Spoof of “Meet the Spy” on NewGrounds

shawnx3chaos
Mar 10, 2010 at 04:31AM UTC , shawnx3chaos wrote:

Mentlegen. I lol’d.

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