# Expand Dong Expand Dong is a Photoshop meme built around a cropped image of Donkey Kong's face paired with the words "Expand" and "Dong" cut from the Donkey Kong 64 box art. It first appeared on 4chan's /v/ board in late 2012 and blew up on Tumblr throughout 2013[1]. The format inspired a wave of similar edits using other video game characters and box art, where letters are rearranged to spell out crude or absurd phrases[3]. ## Origin The earliest known version appeared on October 8, 2012, in a thread on 4chan's /v/ (Video Games) board[3]. An anonymous user posted a digitally edited version of the Donkey Kong 64 box art from the 1999 Nintendo 64 platformer[4]. The edit isolated Donkey Kong's face and rearranged text from the cover to read "Expand Dong." Donkey Kong 64, developed by Rare and published by Nintendo, was already a well-known title with a history of ironic appreciation online, partly thanks to the infamous "DK Rap" featured in its introduction[4]. - **Platform:** Twitter - **Creator:** Internet Culture - **Date:** 2015 ## Overview The core of the meme is simple: take a close-up of Donkey Kong's face from the Donkey Kong 64 packaging and slap a caption below it made from letters cut out of that same box art. The words "Expand" and "Dong" are isolated and recombined to create the suggestive phrase. The result looks like a ransom note made from a Nintendo game cover. The visual style draws loose comparison to Tony Kornheiser's "Why" reaction face, with the character staring directly at the viewer alongside a provocative caption[3]. As the meme grew, creators applied the same technique to other video game box arts. Characters like Luigi and Dixie Kong got the treatment, with their packaging text rearranged into similarly crude messages[3]. The format also expanded beyond Nintendo characters entirely, with people cutting and pasting letters from any source material to build absurd phrases[2]. ## How It Spread The meme stayed mostly within 4chan until early 2013. On March 14, 2013, Tumblr user heatcrashemboar posted the original "expand dong" image, bringing it to a new audience[3]. A month later, on April 21, the same image showed up in a comment on Funnyjunk[3]. Tumblr became the meme's real home. On June 12, 2013, user goubatsu posted a two-panel image macro featuring Donkey Kong with the caption "No / This does not expand dong"[3]. That same month, the tag started picking up steam, with users like the blogger behind "This Pleases Tormod" reacting to the flood of expand dong content in the tag[5]. On June 27, YouTuber Dexter Dee uploaded a video titled "Expand Dong" featuring a clip of Donkey Kong singing from the French computer-animated Donkey Kong Country TV show[3]. The format really took off in late July 2013. On July 22 and 23, Tumblr user foalonthehill posted two new box art edits featuring Dixie Kong and Luigi in the same cut-and-paste style. Both posts pulled in over 1,400 notes within their first five months[3]. On July 30, the Tumblr blog "Tumbl Trends" featured several notable expand dong examples, pushing the meme further into the mainstream Tumblr ecosystem[3]. By October, the meme had spread to gaming forums. On October 1, 2013, IGN Forums user pizzachu1 posted a thread titled "Expand Dong" containing the original Donkey Kong image[3]. ## How to Use The classic method: 1. Find a video game box art or any image with visible text. 2. Crop the character's face into a close-up, ideally with a staring or suggestive expression. 3. Cut out individual letters or words from the source image's text. 4. Rearrange those letters to spell something crude, absurd, or nonsensical. 5. Place the rearranged text below the character's face. ## Cultural Impact Expand Dong represented the continuation of immature humor traditions in meme culture. ## Fun Facts - Donkey Kong 64 required the Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak accessory to run, making the word "Expand" appear prominently on its packaging. This is likely why the box art was such easy material for the edit[4]. - The "DK Rap" from Donkey Kong 64 was already considered one of the worst songs in gaming history before the meme existed, giving DK a pre-built reputation for ironic internet fame[4]. - The meme's name works as a triple entendre: it references the Expansion Pak, Donkey Kong's name, and a crude joke all at once. - Urban Dictionary entries for Expand Dong include a completely earnest definition comparing it to America's Manifest Destiny[2]. - The French animated Donkey Kong Country TV show, which most people had never heard of, got unexpected attention thanks to the meme's spread on YouTube[3]. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Expand Dong? Expand Dong is a reaction meme used to express amusement at double meanings or unexpected phrasing that sounds inappropriate. ### What does Expand Dong mean? The meme typically pairs innocuous phrases with reaction images, highlighting how they could be misinterpreted as sexual innuendo. ### Where did Expand Dong come from? Expand Dong originated on Twitter around 2015. The meme became popular around 2015 as a way to express immature humor about unintentional double meanings. ### How do you use Expand Dong? Post reaction images when you notice innocent phrases that sound inappropriate or when something has unexpected meaning. ### Is Expand Dong still popular in 2026? Yes, Expand Dong is still very popular in 2026. It is considered evergreen and gets regular use across social media platforms. ### Who created Expand Dong? Internet Culture created Expand Dong. The meme became popular around 2015 as a way to express immature humor about unintentional double meanings. ### When did Expand Dong start? Expand Dong first appeared around 2015 on Twitter. The meme became popular around 2015 as a way to express immature humor about unintentional double meanings. ### What platform did Expand Dong originate on? Expand Dong originated on Twitter around 2015. The meme typically pairs innocuous phrases with reaction images, highlighting how they could be misinterpreted as sexual innuendo. ### What are the best examples of Expand Dong? The best examples of Expand Dong showcase its core format at its most effective. The meme plays on immature humor that's been around forever ### What memes are similar to Expand Dong? Memes similar to Expand Dong include Deez Nuts, Arthur Fist, Drake Hotline Bling, All Star Shrek. These share a similar format, humor style, or cultural context. ### Is Expand Dong dead? Not at all. Expand Dong is considered evergreen, meaning it keeps coming back and gets used regularly regardless of trends. ### Has Expand Dong been used by celebrities or brands? Various brands and public figures have referenced Expand Dong in their social media and marketing. Memes with broad recognition like this one often get picked up for commercial use. ### Can I buy Expand Dong merchandise? Yes, Expand Dong merchandise is available on platforms like Redbubble, Amazon, and Etsy. You can find t shirts, stickers, mugs, phone cases, and other items featuring the meme. ### Where can I find the Expand Dong template? Templates and references for Expand Dong are available on sites like Imgflip and Know Your Meme. Search for the meme name to find usable versions. ### How do I make my own Expand Dong? Post reaction images when you notice innocent phrases that sound inappropriate or when something has unexpected meaning. ### Did Expand Dong inspire any other memes? Yes, Expand Dong inspired various derivative memes and spinoffs that built on its original format. ### Is Expand Dong copyrighted? Most memes exist in a legal gray area. The original image or video may have copyright protection, but meme formats are generally treated as fair use. That said, this is not legal advice. ## References 1. [List of Internet phenomena]() 2. [Expand Dong - Urban Dictionary]() 3. [Expand Dong - Know Your Meme]() 4. [Donkey Kong 64]() 5. [This Pleases Tormod - monoso: [EXPANDING INTENSIFIES] OOOOOH BANANA]() --- Source: https://meme.com/memes/expand-dong Published by meme.com — The Internet Meme Library