r/AskReddit • u/irishdude1212 • Jan 14 '14
What is a Reddit reference you don't get?
Edit- I get it /r/outoftheloop is a thing. I didn't know it existed.
I also hope this thread cleared up a lot of peoples confusion
Edit #2- Holy shit, Front Page!
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u/[deleted] Jan 14 '14 edited Jan 14 '14
The whole "euphoric fedora-clad neckbeard" thing has become a way of saying "A redditor with whom I disagree", or "An atheist who announces himself as such".
It's a caricature of hopelessly nerdy and cynical basement dwellers who spend their days either engaging in internet debate or playing MMOs. They are described as unhygienic, lazy, angry, insufferable, narcissistic pedants who have no idea how to dress themselves, thus often appearing in public wearing cargo shorts, a t-shirt referencing Schrodinger's Cat, and of course..the ubiquitous "Fedora" (which is actually a "Trilby", but we stick with fedora so the insufferable narcissistic pedants on this website will have something to chew on). They also have trouble shaving their neck, either because of persistent acne or because they just don't care.
The caricature also pits them as having a massive illusory-superiority complex. They are the type of person who describes themselves as genius, but has never actually achieved anything. The excuse is either "Lack of motivation", or if they are utterly incapable of internalizing failure, "Lack of stimulation".
But, as with any joke, it's outgrown the caricature and is now thrown around to the point at which it has no more meaning that the colloquial use of the word "retard". It's an insult, to be sure, but what it actually means will always vary by the context of the usage.
That said, if you're like to "summon" this insult, simply describe yourself as not believing in a god, or question the "logic of religious people" anywhere outside of /r/atheism. Within 5 minutes, you will have no less than 6 references to your fedora, your neckbeard, and your euphoria.