The Story Behind The “Goose Chasing Guy” Meme: How A Man And A Bird Sparked Internet Hilarity
Ever stumbled across a crude, MS Paint-style comic of a goose chasing a man in a puffer jacket, demanding to know “What’s in the jacket?”
That’s the “Goose Chasing Guy” meme, a viral sensation that’s been making the internet laugh since 2020.
Born from a simple webcomic, this meme has exploded across platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram, becoming a go-to for expressing everything from life’s nagging frustrations to absurd obsessions.
In this article, we’ll trace its origins, explore its spread, and unpack why this feathered fiend and his hapless target resonate so deeply with online audiences.
1. What Is the “Goose Chasing Guy” Meme?
The Goose Chasing Guy meme is a minimalist two-panel comic that’s as basic as it is funny.
Drawn in a rough, MS Paint type of style, it has a goose chasing a man in a goose-down jacket while constantly asking what’s in that jacket, never letting up. The man looks like he is in a panic, trying to run away.
It’s funny because it is so easy to make it applicable to anything, and people will slap labels on the goose and the man to depict anything from personally things to societal things.
For example, the goose could be a person’s unpaid bills, while the man (the “goose-chased guy”) is running away trying to avoid them.
The meme works because it’s relatable, and it’s the perfect hate symbol for being chased by things one can’t control.
2. Where Did the Meme Originate?
The origin of the Goose Chasing Guy meme is credited to Jimmy Craig, the creator of the They Can Talk webcomic series, which stars various animals speaking thoughts and ideas for comedic purposes.
The origin of the Goose Chasing Guy meme began with a webcomic that featured the character chasing a goose and simply read “feathers.”
On November 29, 2020, Craig posted the comic on Instagram and on the Reddit page r/comics, and it was appreciated with over 86,000 likes on Instagram and 31,000 upvotes on Reddit as recorded by Know Your Meme.
The comic used a plain style so a user could simply trace the lines and find it easy to add their own text!
The comic panel only features one joke and is easily printable, perfect for meme users looking for comic material.
By early 2021, it evolved into an object-labeling meme, and in the new contexts the goose and the man could be any persistent pursuer and the object they were pursuing.
3. How It Spread Across the Web
The Goose Chasing Guy meme ended up spreading like wildfire in a dry field.
By early 2021, memes in Slovakian communities like “Dr. Vagimir” on Instagram were busy editing and remixing the comic into their own culture with the addition of new text and watermarks.
Once the Goose Chasing Guy stretched past memes in Slovakian communities, it became ubiquitous across online platforms like iFunny, Imgur, Facebook, Reddit, and even in niche Discord servers.
In some posts from r/memes on Reddit, the meme had been upvoted thousands of times. Users frequently applied a political jab in the MMMG meme or dropped a personal grievance with the meme by labeling the goose.
One of the most popular online edits of the meme labeled the goose “tax season” and called the man “my paycheck”.
The spread of the Goose Chasing Guy was not an accident–it became incredibly versatile because the meme followed a loose enough structure to adapt no matter the context or online platform, from banter to pointed social commentary.
4. Why the Meme Resonates With Audiences
What does the Goose Chasing Guy meme represent? At its essence, it represents a universal feeling of being chased by priorities, insecurities, or that one friend who keeps texting you.
The goose is hunting the man, the man is running from a goose, and the imagery is equally relatable, enjoyable, raw, emotional, and absurdly funny.
The crude, MS Paint aesthetic of the meme is inviting as well, giving the option for any person to remix it for their own absurdities.
As per The Verge, memes rely on emotional connection, and this meme completely embodies that.
It could be relating to avoiding responsibilities or chasing dreams, the goose and guy are us in our absurd distractions.
5. Popular Forms & Caption Styles
The Goose Chasing Guy meme formats are exquisitely flexible. The object-labeling format is the most common format: label the man as “me trying to relax” and the goose as “my anxiety” and you’ve got a comedic label.
Others have delved even deeper and had them redraw he goose-and-guy structure for new analogies, like a goose labelled “gamer rage” chasing a man labelled “my controller” or using a goose as “government regulations” chasing “small businesses” in the political variants.
Know Your Meme really highlights how these variants keep the meme flowing as people on meme-generating platforms, like Imgflip, create new spins of the meme every day.
The format is flexible enough to depict anything, from game jokes to existential dread.
The Legacy of the Goose & the Guy
The Goose Chasing Guy meme legacy is still unfolding. It keeps resurfacing, whether to vent about workplace burnout or poke fun at digital drama.
Its status as a staple image-macro format comes from its flexibility and emotional depth.
Taylor & Francis highlights how memes blend global appeal with local spins, and this one’s no exception—Spanish users might label the goose “mi jefe” (my boss), while gamers make it about “lag.”
Its staying power lies in its ability to evolve with the times, always chasing new frustrations.
Conclusion
From a humble They Can Talk comic to a global meme, the “Goose Chasing Guy” has waddled its way into internet history.
Since Jimmy Craig unleashed it on November 29, 2020, it’s become a cultural touchstone, reflecting our shared struggles with humor and heart.
Its spread across Reddit, Twitter, and beyond shows the power of a simple idea in the digital age.
Whether it’s a goose chasing you for answers or life’s demands nipping at your heels, this meme reminds us to laugh at the chaos. Long live the goose—and the guy who can’t escape it.
