Tenso

Sometimes the close up reveals something that is not seen in the original image, creating an effect of surprise. In this way, it delivers an effect similar to the when you see it, you’ll shit bricks meme. In terms of popularity, it could be seen as the FAIL of Brazil.

Origin

This meme is a popular joke in the “Vale Tudo” or “anything goes” board within the Brazilian gaming forum UOL Jogos (English: UOL Games). Some have claimed that it originated there, while others have claimed that members of Vale Tudo simply take credit for creating it but assert that he meme has existed prior.

Some of the members of this forum claim that it is inspired by 4chan memes and was adapted to Portuguese language. The vertical panel layout is similar memes like Gaijin 4 Koma and Kurt Cobain Reactions. In terms of the effective use of a singular common word becoming a meme in itself, Tenso has some similarities to Fail.

In late 2008 the idea started to spread to other forums and became a fad in Brazilian blogs and social medias.

Tenso Generator

In 2009 Fabricio Zuardi created the Gera Tenso, a webpage that allows anyone to easily create his own version of the meme.

The Brazilian Meme

Some Brazilian blogs started to celebrate the Tenso meme as an “original Brazilian meme” after it became popular in early 2009. This is not only because it is originated in Brazil and uses Portuguese language, but also because it very effectively combines the nonsense humour of Brazilian culture with the nonsense humour of Internet culture.

Brazilian humor site Oesquema.com makes frequent use of Tenso images.

Tenso can also be seen on many Portuguese language message boards.

• Nerdorama (a little NSFW)
• LevelUpGames

Tenso has even become the subject of some single topic blogs.

• Tenso Tumblr
• Tensoblog

Furthermore, Tenso.blog.br is a site that collects various instances of Internet humor including various viral videos and image macros, not simply the multiple-panel Tenso images.

Popularity

Althought the word “tenso” is a commonly used adjective, Google Insights reveals a large climb in searches for “tenso” through 2009; indicative of not only a viral phenomenon, but a long-standing and ever-growing cultural trend.