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What Is 'You Can't See Me'? The Timeless John Cena Meme And Joke Explained
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Perhaps the most famous meme about American actor and professional wrestler John Cena comes from a decades-long running joke that never seems to die. Now, Cena is back in the spotlight once again, and it's time to take a look back on the meme.
So, what does "You Can't See Me" mean? What's the big deal with the catchphrase, and how has it become a running joke online? Here's everything you need to know about John Cena's meme legacy.
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Where Does "You Can't See Me" Come From?
"You can't see me" is the catchphrase of professional wrestler John Cena. Typically, it's accompanied by Cena waving a hand in front of his face.
It's been Cena's trademark taunt since the early 2000s, and he even released a rap album with the phrase as its title. Cena says the move was inspired by a dance performed by his brother. Take a look at a brief clip from Cena's interview about his catchphrase below:
How Is "You Can't See Me" Used In Memes?
It's become a running joke online to claim that John Cena is missing from photos where John Cena can clearly be seen. Put simply, the internet has a blind spot for him. Over a decade since the phrase was first uttered, millions are still pretending they can't see him.
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Why Is "You Can't See Me" Trending Again?
On March 10th, the Oscars premiered, and they featured an appearance from John Cena, who was pretty much naked. The moment surprised a lot of Oscars viewers and left social media trying to interpret what exactly just happened.
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Now, "You can't see me" is trending again, and there's a clear reason why. To put it simply, people could see him. They saw him a little too well, in fact.
For the full history of "You can't see me," be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.