Erm What The Sigma Meme: Meaning, Origin, Usage And Variations
Erm What the Sigma Meme is a viral internet catchphrase and absurdist meme that expresses confusion, often used ironically to mimic or mock Gen Z and Gen Alpha humor. It first gained popularity on TikTok through a viral audio clip mimicking SpongeBob and Squidward voices, quickly spreading across social media platforms.
The meaning of the Erm what the Sigma meme is a humorous twist on the phrase “What the heck?” and is used to react to bizarre, exaggerated, or nonsensical situations. Its tone is intentionally illogical, embracing chaotic internet humor and poking fun at “sigma male” tropes and digital slang culture.
The phrase originated from a now-deleted TikTok posted in March 2024, followed by multiple remixes and parodies that helped push the sound viral. It was further amplified by nostalgic cartoon edits and overstimulated video trends.
Common uses of the meme include ironic captions, exaggerated TikTok edits, comments on confusing videos, mocking overused Gen Alpha humor, and inserting the phrase into nostalgic cartoon dialogue. Its flexible format makes it suitable for a wide range of chaotic internet content.
Variations and spin-offs of the meme include other ironic combinations like “Erm what the rizz?”, “Erm what the Skibidi?”, and “Erm what the Ohio?”, all of which follow the same absurd structure and tone. These versions help extend the meme’s reach and reinforce its place in Gen Z/Alpha digital culture.
What Does “Erm, What the Sigma” Mean?
“Erm, what the sigma?” is an ironic way of saying “What the heck?” or “What the hell?” It’s a parody of internet reaction slang, designed to mimic the confused or judgmental response of someone encountering something especially weird, exaggerated, or stereotypically “Gen Alpha.”
The phrase isn’t supposed to make much logical sense. In fact, its power comes from that exact absurdity. It pokes fun at hyper-masculine internet terms like “sigma male,” and it often appears alongside other nonsense phrases in chaotic Gen Z/Alpha humor.
Sometimes it’s a joke. Sometimes it’s a roast. Sometimes it’s pure nonsense — and that’s exactly why it works.
Where Did erm What the Sigma Meme Come From?
@flexedits17 💀 <))> _|_ mid filler | #fyp #foryou #xyzbca #edit #lexedit17 #squidward
The origins of the Erm What the Sigma meme trace back to March 4th, 2024, when TikToker @lawfreeza posted a video featuring two voice messages from Instagram. The first voice message declared, “You’re not f**king funny and you’re corny. So, um, literally stop sending me voice messages ’cause they’re not funny actually.” Then came the now-infamous reply: “Erm, what the sigma?” While the post was eventually deleted, it racked up around 144,900 plays and 30,900 likes in just one month, kickstarting the viral journey.
@annamae_83
The next day, March 5th, TikToker @annamae_83 reposted the clip with a red circle highlighting how the voice resembled Squidward from SpongeBob SquarePants. Her post exploded in popularity, amassing over 9.2 million views and 1.5 million likes. That moment became the official ignition of the trend across TikTok.
From there, the sound spiraled into the memeverse:
- TikToker @ghrievance used the audio in an animation the same day, pulling in 101,100 views and 8,500 likes.
- On March 6th, @5starvelocity made a Squidward-themed fancam using the audio, which received 36,500 plays.
- By April 1st, user @huugh_mungus dropped the audio into an overstimulation video where SpongeBob and Squidward react dramatically to an ice cream cone (originally posted by YouTuber XDMEME). That remix racked up 1.2 million plays and 180,100 likes in two days.
- On April 2nd, TikToker @kanyewestfan140 released another remix that drew 302,100 views and 55,100 likes in just 24 hours.
So where did the phrase itself come from? It appears to be a bizarre fusion of multiple internet languages: Stewie Griffin’s classic line “Erm… what the deuce?” from Family Guy, mashed together with the hyper-online “sigma male” trope. Toss in TikTok’s love of SpongeBob voiceovers, remix culture, and absurdist irony, and you’ve got the perfect meme recipe for Gen Alpha and Gen Z chaos.
How To use the Phrase “Erm, What the Sigma?” (Or the Erm What the Sigma Meme)
You can use the phrase “Erm, what the sigma?” or the Erm What the Sigma meme in these cases: use it as an ironic “what the heck?”, pair it with over-the-top reactions or behavior, use it to mock Gen Alpha humor, add it to SpongeBob, Stewie, or other nostalgic characters, or comment it on anything that makes you question reality.
These five usage styles are listed below:
1. Use It as an Ironic “What the Heck?”
At its core, this phrase is a nonsense version of “What the heck?” or “What did I just watch?” It’s a knee-jerk, exaggerated reaction to something that fries your brain — in the best or worst way. Think cursed videos, chaotic edits, or painfully Gen Alpha slang.
Example:
Watching a capybara wearing sunglasses, riding a Roomba, in slow motion
Caption: Erm, what the sigma??
2. Pair It with Over-the-Top Reactions or Behavior
The Erm What the Sigma meme shines when paired with dramatic or unexplainable behavior — especially when it’s trying way too hard to be “deep.” Think someone acting overly mysterious, overly emotional, or giving “sigma male” energy in the most cringe way possible.
Example:
A guy dramatically looking out the window after sending a “you up?” text at 3:42 a.m.
Overlay text: “Erm, what the sigma?”
3. Use It to Mock Gen Alpha Humor (Lovingly)
Let’s be honest, half the fun is poking fun at how ridiculous the current humor meta has become. Erm what the sigma meme works perfectly in posts that gently roast Gen Alpha vocabulary, meme formats, or hyper-edited “brainrot” content.
Example:
A chaotic edit with Skibidi Toilet, Giga Chad, and 10 random filters in one second
Comment: Erm, what the sigma… is this timeline?
4. Add It to SpongeBob, Stewie, or Other Nostalgic Characters
Thanks to the Erm what the sigma meme’s voice-over roots (which sound like SpongeBob and Squidward), it’s become common to pair it with scenes from nostalgic cartoons like SpongeBob or Family Guy. Bonus points if the original dialogue makes zero sense when swapped out for this phrase.
Example:
A clip of Stewie Griffin saying “Erm, what the sigma?” instead of “Erm, what the deuce?”
Instant meme. Certified brainrot.
5. Comment It On Anything That Makes You Question Reality
TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube comment sections are full of weird moments that just deserve a confused but amused reaction. Typing “Erm, what the sigma?” under something cursed or slightly deranged is an easy win.
Example:
A reel of someone trying to parallel park for 17 minutes straight
Top comment: Erm, what the sigma was that parking attempt
Variations and Spin-Offs Of the erm what the sigma meme
Popular spin-offs of the erm what the sigma meme include: “Erm, what the sigma… her?”, “Erm, what the sigma… they?”, “Erm, what the rizz?”, “Erm, what the scallop?”, and “Erm, what the brainrot?”
These meme variations are listed below:
“Erm, what the sigma… HER?”
A gender-flipped version often used to poke fun at dramatic or cryptic behavior in women. It flips the “sigma male” trope and adds a sarcastic twist.
Example: A video of a girl silently staring out a rainy window with Lana Del Rey playing.
Caption: “Erm, what the sigma… her?”
“Erm, what the sigma… THEY?”
Inclusive, chaotic, and used in any context where group behavior gets a little too deep or overly mysterious.
Example: A group of teens doing a candlelit “ritual” with crystals and speakers blasting slowed reverb edits.
Comment: “Erm, what the sigma… they cooking?”
“Erm, what the rizz?”
Sometimes used interchangeably or in crossover memes. “Rizz” refers to charisma or flirting ability — so this spin-off mocks awkward, forced attempts at pickup lines or cringey romantic gestures.
Example: Someone trying to flirt by quoting a Minion meme.
Caption: “Erm, what the rizz?”
“Erm, what the scallop?”
A deeper internet throwback inspired by Family Guy’s “Erm… what the deuce?” and SpongeBob-style humor. Often paired with bizarre animation or surreal audio.
It’s weird. It’s niche. It’s peak Gen Alpha.
“Erm, what the brainrot?”
Used when a meme is so deep in the ironic layers of absurdity that even seasoned meme veterans tap out. This is for Skibidi Toilet edits inside Sigma grindset animations with Giga Chad transitions.
Comment: “Erm, what the brainrot”
(Translation: I’ve seen too much. I need a walk.)
Final Thoughts: Erm… Is He Really Sigma?
Whether you love it, hate it, or still don’t know what’s going on — the Erm What the Sigma meme isn’t going anywhere. It’s moody, mysterious, and memetically delicious. It plays on digital identity, masculinity, and internet irony in a way that’s both ridiculous and weirdly deep.
So the next time your friend goes radio silent, wears sunglasses indoors, and whispers “I walk alone,” don’t ask questions. Just smile, nod, and say: erm what the sigma meme.
