Press A To Pound

2016Image macro / catchphrasedead

Published July 28, 2026

"Press A To Pound" is an image macro and catchphrase meme from 2016 that emerged during the massive wave of internet tributes and jokes following the shooting of Harambe the gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo. The meme plays on video game button-prompt formats, using crude sexual double entendre combined with references to the gorilla, and became one of many irreverent offshoots of the broader Harambe meme phenomenon that dominated the internet in summer 2016.

Overview

"Press A To Pound" uses the visual language of video game button prompts, presenting viewers with a fake interactive screen instructing them to "press A" to perform an action, with "pound" serving as a deliberate double entendre. The format riffs on the well-known "Press F to Pay Respects" meme from *Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare* (2014), swapping out the solemn tone for crude humor. It circulated widely in mid-2016 as part of the explosion of Harambe-related content that flooded social media after the gorilla's death.

Origin & Background

Platform
Twitter, Reddit (viral spread)
Creator
Unknown
Date
2016

On May 28, 2016, a three-year-old boy climbed into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo, where a 440-pound western lowland silverback named Harambe grabbed and dragged the child through the moat1. Zoo officials, fearing for the boy's life, shot and killed Harambe with a single rifle shot1. The incident was captured on video by a bystander and uploaded to YouTube, where it went viral and sparked global debate over whether lethal force was necessary1.

Within days, Harambe became the subject of an enormous wave of internet memes, tribute posts, satirical petitions, and ironic mourning1. "Press A To Pound" emerged from this chaotic environment, combining the popular video game button-prompt format with sexually charged humor directed at the gorilla. The exact first post is undocumented, but the meme circulated on Twitter, Reddit, and various meme pages during the peak of Harambe mania in June and July 2016.

How It Spread

The meme spread as part of the broader Harambe content explosion that dominated platforms across the internet in summer 2016. Harambe memes generated global publicity and controversy, with the gorilla's image appearing on everything from ironic vigils to satirical songs1. "Press A To Pound" was shared alongside other button-prompt parodies and crude Harambe jokes on subreddits like r/dankmemes and r/harambe, as well as on Facebook meme pages and Twitter.

The format rode the same wave that produced "Dicks Out for Harambe" and dozens of other irreverent tributes. Several vigils were held in Harambe's honor, including a candlelight vigil at Hyde Park in Cincinnati1. The shooting drew commentary from celebrities including Ricky Gervais, Brian May, and Piers Morgan, while Donald Trump defended the zoo's actions during his 2016 presidential campaign1. This mainstream attention kept Harambe content, including cruder memes like "Press A To Pound," in heavy rotation throughout the summer.

By late 2016, the Harambe meme cycle had largely run its course, and "Press A To Pound" faded along with the rest of the wave.

How to Use This Meme

The format typically follows a simple structure:

1

Present an image, often of Harambe or another subject

2

Overlay or caption it with a fake video game button prompt reading "Press A To Pound"

3

The humor comes from the double meaning of "pound" and the absurdity of applying a game mechanic to a real situation

Cultural Impact

"Press A To Pound" was a minor entry in the massive cultural moment surrounding Harambe's death. The incident itself sparked serious debate among biologists and primatologists about keeping gorillas in captivity1. Primatologist Jane Goodall commented that the zoo likely had no other option, while zookeeper Jack Hanna noted that a tranquilizer dart could have taken five to ten minutes to work and might have further agitated the gorilla1. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the USDA both investigated the zoo1.

The contrast between this serious discourse and the crude, irreverent meme culture it spawned was a defining feature of internet humor in 2016. Police investigated possible criminal charges against the boy's parents, though Ohio prosecutor Joe Deters announced on June 6, 2016, that no charges would be filed1. The boy's mother also faced online shaming1. Memes like "Press A To Pound" sat at the edgier end of this spectrum, where the shock value was the point.

Fun Facts

Harambe was born on May 27, 1999, at Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, and was named after the 1988 Rita Marley song "Harambe (Working Together for Freedom)"1.

"Harambee" is a Swahili term for communal labor1.

Harambe was killed one day after his 17th birthday1.

The boy who fell into the enclosure survived with non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center1.

Primatologist Frans de Waal said he saw few options for resolving the situation without lethal force1.

Derivatives & Variations

"Press F to Pay Respects" crossovers:

The original *Call of Duty* format that inspired "Press A To Pound" was frequently combined with Harambe imagery in a more sincere variation[1].

Other button-prompt Harambe memes:

Variations included "Press X to Doubt" and other game-UI formats applied to the Harambe situation[1].

Frequently Asked Questions

References (1)

  1. 1
    Harambeencyclopedia