What Is 'The Elbow Thing' On TikTok?

Every few months, a new "thing" starts going around TikTok that boggles the minds of its users, who start begging for answers in viral videos. Most of the time the answer to those trends is sexual, like the belly press thing or the knee thing. This time, with the elbow thing, the answer is a little less clear, as some believe it involves pressing the breasts together with the elbows while others have a much more violent interpretation. Here's an explainer.

What Is The Elbow Thing?

TikTokers started discussing the elbow thing around April 2022, when videos with vague captions like, "When he knows the elbow thing" started going viral. This, in turn, inspired other users to post videos asking, "what is the elbow thing?" It's not clear who first brought the idea of the elbow thing, also called the "elbow method" in some videos, to the platform, but it's certainly gotten around in the last few months.

With similar trends like the belly press thing, there's a concrete answer as to what they're referring to that can be traced back. With the elbow thing, there is not a clear answer. In July, a TikToker claimed it refers to when women press their breasts together with their elbows. Another TikToker claims it has no meaning. In the past, it's been used to refer to things like double-jointed elbows. There really is no definitive answer to what all these videos are talking about, leaving many to assume it's something sexual.

How Is "The Elbow Thing" Used In Memes?

In September, the elbow thing started coming back into the spotlight on TikTok after TikToker @josephgarratt posted a video captioned, "when she knows how to do the elbow thing." Other TikTokers like @afroismassive and @caelyncashews started duetting the post, claiming they're going to show off how to do the elusive technique. Then, they start elbow-slamming pillows, giving most men exactly the opposite of what they're looking for.

One TikToker, @_sweats, made up a whole new meaning for the elbow thing, suggesting it's when you rub your elbows together, causing static electricity to grow in your hands, then grab a man's testicles. Clearly, the elbow thing is a lot of things to a lot of different people, leaving it up to you how you want to meme with it.

For the full details on the elbow thing, be sure to check out our entry on the meme here for even more information.