What is 1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN?

It's a Tumblr phrasal meme based on a caption added to a video of a seal slapping itself on the chest. The phrase is styled like a toll-free phone number[1].

Where did 1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN come from?

Tumblr user hemingwayjaw coined the phrase on March 1, 2017, when they reblogged a seal video originally posted by Babyanimalgifs[2].

What does 1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN mean?

It's an absurdist joke framing the act of a seal slapping itself as something you'd call a hotline about. The phrase has no deeper meaning beyond its comedic randomness[1].

How do you use 1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN?

Caption any video of an animal (or anything) doing a slapping motion with the phrase, post it as standalone text, or incorporate it into fan art. There's no rigid template[1].

Is 1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN still popular?

The meme peaked on Tumblr in August and September 2017. As of the last available data, the original post had over 253,000 notes, but the meme's active use has faded since its 2017 peak[2].

Who created the tattoo design that made the meme go viral?

Tumblr user doglesbian posted the tattoo design on July 29, 2017, and it gained over 16,000 notes, directly triggering wider adoption of the phrase[2].

How many notes did the original post get?

The hemingwayjaw reblog had over 253,000 notes as of September 2017[2].

1 800 Are You Slappin

2017Catchphrase / phrasal memedead

Also known as: Are You Slappin · Are You Slappin?

1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN is a Tumblr phrasal meme that originated from a video of a seal slapping itself on the chest with its flipper. First captioned by Tumblr user hemingwayjaw on March 1, 2017, the phrase went through a slow-burn period before exploding across the platform in mid-2017 after a tattoo design by user doglesbian brought it renewed attention1.

Overview

The meme centers on the phrase "1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN," styled like a toll-free phone number. It comes from a short video showing a seal lying on its back with a small plush seal toy resting on its belly. The real seal then quickly slaps itself on the chest with one of its flippers1. The phrase doesn't follow a rigid meme template. Posts just need to reference "are you slappin" or "1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN" in some form, whether paired with seal imagery, applied to other animals, or used as a standalone absurdist caption1.

On March 1, 2017, the Tumblr account Babyanimalgifs shared a video of a seal with a plush toy seal on its back. The seal abruptly slaps itself on the chest with its flipper2. That same day, Tumblr user hemingwayjaw reblogged the video and added the caption "1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN"1. The post picked up significant traction over time, reaching over 253,000 notes by September 20172.

Origin & Background

Platform

Tumblr

Key People

hemingwayjaw, Babyanimalgifs

Date

2017

How It Spread

For months after the original post, references to the phrase were sparse. A text post from April 30, 2017 simply stated "1-800-are-you-slappin," and on May 4, 2017, someone captioned a video of a bird splashing its wings in water with "1 800 are you slapping"1.

The real turning point came on July 29, 2017, when Tumblr user doglesbian posted a tattoo design featuring the phrase "1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN" alongside an image of the seal from the original video. That post picked up over 16,000 notes and kicked the meme into wider circulation2.

Through August and September 2017, "Are You Slappin?" posts started showing up across Tumblr with much greater frequency1. A pun on the name by user timetickticksaway earned over 8,200 notes, and a banner image created by evenmoreuserboxes pulled in over 9,200 notes2. The meme's flexibility helped it spread: some posts featured seals or other animals, while others applied the phrase to completely unrelated contexts1.

How to Use This Meme

There's no strict format. The meme is freeform by nature. Common approaches include:

Pair with a slapping animal: Find a GIF or video of an animal (seal, bird, etc.) doing something that looks like slapping, and caption it with "1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN" or "are you slappin?"

Standalone text post: Just drop the phrase on its own as an absurdist non-sequitur.

Fan art or design: Create artwork, fake ads, or tattoo-style designs incorporating the phone number phrase and seal imagery.

Apply to everyday situations: Use "are you slappin?" as a rhetorical question in reaction to anything involving hitting, clapping, or general excitement.

Fun Facts

The original hemingwayjaw reblog sat for nearly five months before the meme caught on widely. The tattoo design in late July 2017 was the spark that turned a niche caption into a trending Tumblr phrase1.

The meme doesn't require any specific image or format, making it one of Tumblr's more freeform phrasal memes1.

By September 2017, the original post had accumulated over 253,000 notes, a massive number for what started as a simple reblog caption2.

Derivatives & Variations

Tattoo design by doglesbian:

A hand-drawn tattoo flash featuring the phrase and the seal, which became the key post that reignited the meme's popularity in late July 2017[2].

Userbox banner:

User evenmoreuserboxes created a Tumblr banner/badge format for the phrase, earning over 9,200 notes[2].

Bird slapping variant:

An early derivative applied "1 800 are you slapping" to a video of a bird flapping its wings in water, extending the meme beyond seals[1].

Frequently Asked Questions

References (2)

1
Meme Documentation — Explained: are you slappin memearticle
2
1-800-ARE-YOU-SLAPPIN - Know Your Memeencyclopedia