Meme Monday: Moo Deng, the screaming baby hippo

Mondays are tough. Here's a meme to cheer you up

It’s time for a special edition of the newsletter where I highlight a trending meme. If you’re new, you can subscribe here and follow me on Threads or X. Views are my own. Happy reading!

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What is the meme?

This baby hippo from Thailand has “wriggled her way into the hearts and minds of millions on the internet with her seemingly feisty antics and petrified looks,” according to Koh Ewe at TIME. “Social media users can’t get enough of her screaming face—when being sprayed with water, when being carried by zookeepers, or simply while lying on the ground.”

Who is in the meme?

Moo Deng is an “unbearably adorable two-month-old baby pygmy hippopotamus,” according to Ewe. “Since Moo Deng went viral, visitors to Khao Kheow Open Zoo have more than doubled, with those flocking to see the baby hippo described as a ‘fan club.’”

“Moo Deng” translates to “bouncy pork,” according to Forbes. You can follow the baby hippo and her friends on Instagram.

When did the meme pop up?

Moo Deng was born on July 10, according to TIME. The memes took off over the past two weeks.

Where is the meme?

The hippo already has a presence on X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Why is the meme?

Moo Deng’s expressive reactions are relatable and endearing. Plus, who can say no to cute baby animals?

Read the last Meme Monday: Are you capable of love?