1
http://knowyourmeme.com/system/icons/951/thumb/Tenso_02.jpg?1253040633
http://knowyourmeme.com/system/icons/951/square/Tenso_02.jpg?1253040633
2009-09-15T18:50:34Z
Brasil
2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
active
tenso, catchphrase, Brazil, image macro
43
Tenso
<h2>About</h2>
<p>The word “tenso” is Portuguese for “tense”. This is a meme that spread through Brazilian blogs and forums, and consists of an image edited to form a sequence that closes up the frame and emphasizes a “tense” face or situation. In form, it is similar to a common vertical 4-Pane, a common <a href=http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/exploitables>exploitable</a> format; although the number of actual frames may vary.</p>
<p>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 <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/when-you-see-it">when you see it, you’ll shit bricks</a> meme.</p>
<h2>Origins</h2>
<p>This meme started as a joke in the Brazilian gaming forum “Vale Tudo” (<span class="caps">UOL</span> Games). Some of the members of this forum claim that it is inspired by 4chan memes and was adapted to Portuguese language, but it is not clear if a specific meme served as inspiration, or if it was instead the common vertical panel format to which they were refer.</p>
<p>In late 2008 the idea started to spread to other forums and became a fad in brazilian blogs and social medias.</p>
<h2>Tenso Generator</h2>
<p>In 2009 <a href="http://fczuardi.tumblr.com/">Fabricio Zuardi</a> created the <a href="http://www.tensao.net/">Gera Tenso</a>, a webpage that allows anyone to easily create his own version of the meme.</p>
<h2>The Brazilian Meme</h2>
<p>Some <a href="http://www.oesquema.com.br/trabalhosujo/2009/03/06/tenso.htm">Brazilian blogs</a> 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.</p>
<p>Tenso can also be seen on many Portuguese language message boards.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://nerdorama.forumais.com/flood-and-burn-f13/topico-tenso-t80.htm">Nerdorama</a> (a little <span class="caps">NSFW</span>)</li>
<li><a href="http://sites.levelupgames.com.br/FORUM/RAGNAROK/forums/t/337660.aspx">LevelUpGames</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Popularity</h2>
<p>Althought the word “tenso” is a commonly used adjective, Google Insights reveals a large spike in searches for “tenso” in 2009; indicative of a viral phenomenon.</p>
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.gmodules.com/ig/ifr?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fig%2Fmodules%2Fgoogle_insightsforsearch_interestovertime_searchterms.xml&up__property=empty&up__search_terms=tenso&up__location=empty&up__category=0&up__time_range=empty&up__compare_to_category=false&synd=ig&w=650&h=350&lang=en-US&title=Google+Insights+for+Search&border=%23ffffff%7C3px%2C1px+solid+%23999999&output=js"></script>
2009-11-15T07:26:36Z
951
19
http://knowyourmeme.com/system/icons/951/original/Tenso_02.jpg?1253040633