How The “Best I Can Do Is” Meme Became The Internet’s Go-To Response For Lowball Offers
The “Best I Can Do Is” meme, featuring Rick Harrison’s iconic lowball offers from Pawn Stars, has become a staple of internet humor.
Originating in the early 2010s on Reddit and Tumblr, it exploded across Twitter, TikTok, and meme pages by 2016, mocking unrealistic expectations with sarcastic counter-offers.
Symbolizing negotiation frustrations and undervaluation, its deadpan delivery and versatility ensure its place as a timeless reaction meme for deal-making and emotional rejections.
1. What Is the “Best I Can Do Is” Meme?
What the meme depicts and how it’s used
The “Best I Can Do Is” meme features a shot of Rick Harrison from Pawn Stars saying “Best I can do is [X].”
The meme hilariously denies requests with unacceptably low counter-offers, challenging the excessively unrealistic requests. By making bawdy jokes about self-deprecating job offers to denying emotional appeals, this meme thrives off the exaggeration of denying requests.
Is this the internet’s favorite way to say ‘not gonna happen’?
This meme is a universal go-to for dismissing demands with dry humor.
Whether it’s about pricing, emotional support, or life’s unfairness, its sarcastic edge makes it a top choice for saying “no way” in a way that’s both funny and relatable across contexts.
2. Where Did the Meme Come From?
TV Show Source – Pawn Stars
The meme stems from the History Channel’s Pawn Stars, where pawn shop owner Rick Harrison haggles with sellers, often offering far less than they expect. His catchphrase, “Best I can do is…,” became iconic for its deadpan delivery and predictable lowballing, making it prime meme material.
Meme Emergence Timeline
The phrase first gained traction on Reddit and Tumblr around 2012–2013, with early posts in subreddits like r/funny. By 2016–2018, it exploded on Twitter and meme pages as a reaction image, with users pairing it with everyday scenarios to highlight absurd negotiations.
3. What the Meme Symbolizes Emotionally and Socially
The Culture of Negotiation and Undervaluation
This meme aptly captures the feeling of being undervalued in terms of time, work, or emotional labor.
It connects with anyone who has received a lowball offer, from a low initial offer from a boss on a raise to a buyer offering meager amounts for an incredibly treasured item.
Self-Deprecation and Sarcasm
The meme, when taken ironically, places Rick’s lowballing in absurdly emotional or overly dramatic situations.
It is a sarcastic way to illustrate how ludicrously life can be disappointing, such as suggesting “napping” when someone asks for motivation, marrying self-degradation with sardonic humor.
4. Common Meme Caption Styles and Variants
Classic Caption Examples
The meme shines in relatable captions:
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“Me: I need emotional support / Life: Best I can do is anxiety.”
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“Boss: Can you work overtime again? / Me: Best I can do is mentally check out.”
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“Me: A+ please / Teacher: Best I can do is C-.”
These highlight the meme’s knack for turning everyday disappointments into comedy.
Visual Variants and Spin-offs
Parody edits swap Rick for characters like Gollum or Gordon Ramsay, keeping the lowball spirit. Deep-fried versions or layered memes exaggerate the offer-rejection dynamic, adding chaotic internet flair for extra humor.
5. Why Rick Harrison Became a Meme Icon
His Stoic Demeanor and Predictable Offers
Rick’s poker face and consistent lowballing on Pawn Stars made him a meme goldmine. His calm, almost robotic delivery of “Best I can do is…” feels both authoritative and absurd, perfect for parody.
Internet’s Love of Predictable Absurdity
The meme’s repetition—always a lowball offer—builds anticipation, making each use funnier. The internet loves this predictable absurdity, turning Rick’s catchphrase into a shorthand for any unfair deal.
6. Comparison to Other Negotiation or Refusal Memes
Related Formats
Memes like “Take It or Leave It,” “You get what you get,” or the “Trade Offer” meme also tackle transactional absurdity. Each plays on rejecting or compromising in humorous ways, often with a similar sarcastic tone.
Why ‘Best I Can Do’ Sticks
Tied to a real TV moment, the meme carries cultural weight from Pawn Stars’ popularity. Its specific phrasing and Rick’s deadpan delivery give it a unique edge over more generic refusal memes, ensuring lasting recognition.
7. Will the Meme Stay Relevant?
Ongoing use in deal-making and digital sarcasm
As long as people face undervaluation or need dry humor, this meme will thrive. Its relevance in workplace, relationship, and economic contexts makes it evergreen for sarcastic commentary.
Cultural Placement
Among top reaction memes, it’s a go-to for lowball moments, joining classics like “Distracted Boyfriend” for capturing universal frustrations with a humorous twist.
Conclusion
The “Best I Can Do Is” meme, born from Rick Harrison’s lowball offers on Pawn Stars, has cemented itself as the internet’s favorite way to mock unfair deals. From its 2012 origins on Reddit to its viral spread across Twitter and TikTok, it captures the sting of undervaluation with sarcastic flair.
Whether through classic captions, deep-fried edits, or TikTok skits, its deadpan absurdity resonates with anyone who’s faced a bad offer. As long as negotiations—emotional or economic—exist, Rick’s iconic line will remain a meme legend.
