A strange internet phrase “Notices bulge, OwO what’s this?” has suddenly exploded into mainstream news after investigators revealed the same exact words were etched onto bullet casing in the Charlie Kirk shooting case. Utah resident Tyler Robinson (22) has been named as the man who allegedly shot and killed Charlie Kirk. This bizarre detail has left many people confused about what this meme means and where it came from.
“The rifle had a scope mounted on top of it. Investigators noted inscriptions that had been engraved on casings found with the rifle. Inscriptions on a fired casing read: ‘Notices, bulges, OwO what’s this?’” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox explained on Friday.
The phrase, which originated in anime and furry communities years ago, has now become an unexpected talking point on national news broadcasts. Media outlets are scrambling to explain this “old copypasta meme” to bewildered viewers.
Utah governor Spencer Cox says ‘notices bulges OwO’ at press conference on Kirk Shooter
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So what exactly is this meme? Where did it come from? And why would someone engrave it on a bullet? Let’s break it down.
What Does “Notices Bulge, OwO What’s This?” Mean?
The phrase “Notices bulge, OwO what’s this?” is a text meme that uses the emoticon OwO (which looks like a surprised face with wide eyes) combined with flirtatious language that parodies how some people roleplay in anime and furry online communities.
The “OwO” part represents a cute, wide-eyed facial expression, while the phrase itself mimics the exaggerated, playful flirtation style sometimes used in these communities’ online roleplaying. The overall effect is intentionally over-the-top and cringey – it’s essentially making fun of a certain type of internet interaction.
Many people find it humorous precisely because it’s so ridiculous and awkward. It’s meant to be read as someone noticing something and reacting with exaggerated, anime-style surprise.
Where Did The “OwO What’s This?” Meme Come From?
The meme first appeared around 2013 in online roleplay communities, particularly among furry and anime fans. The earliest documented instance was posted on January 6, 2013, by a DeviantArt user named CookiMuffinFaic, who uploaded a fanfic cover with the caption “OwO What is this I’m working on? A fanfic cover!”
The meme didn’t really take off until mid-2015, when an Imgur user called MinotaurusPro posted an image showing two furry characters roleplaying, with one writing “notices your bulge… OwO what’s this?” in chat bubbles. This image went viral in furry and roleplay groups before spreading to Tumblr where it received thousands of reblogs.
By 2015, even some furries were using it ironically as a self-aware joke about stereotypes within their community. Before the recent shooting incident, most people outside these specific internet subcultures had never heard of this phrase.
How Did The Meme Go Viral In 2025?
The meme’s massive breakthrough happened in September 2025 during the Charlie Kirk shooting investigation. Utah Governor Spencer Cox revealed during a press briefing that one of the recovered bullet casings had the words “Notices, bulges. OWO. What’s this?” engraved on it.
This shocking connection between an obscure internet joke and a high-profile violent crime immediately sent the phrase trending. News outlets showed clips of the governor reading the phrase, forcing mainstream media to explain furry meme culture to their audiences.
A Reddit post titled “The bullet that killed Charlie Kirk said ‘Notices Bulge, OwO What’s this?'” appeared shortly after the announcement. Users across Twitter (now X) and TikTok began sharing and discussing this bizarre detail, with reactions ranging from shock to dark humor.
Major publications like Wired and Reason quickly published articles explaining the reference, which only increased its visibility further. One social media user captured the surreal moment perfectly when they shared a screenshot of the governor’s quote with the caption: “Never thought I’d see this meme discussed on Fox News.
Who Created The “OwO What’s This?” Meme?
Unlike many viral internet phenomena with famous creators, this meme emerged organically from everyday internet users. DeviantArt user CookiMuffinFaic is credited with the earliest documented use in 2013, while Imgur user MinotaurusPro helped popularize it in 2015 with the furry roleplay image.
Neither creator achieved fame from this, and the meme spread naturally through forums and social media. Over time, websites documented its origins, helping explain it to wider audiences.
The meme later inspired remixes, most notably YouTuber Senzawa’s rap song “Rawr x3 / You So Warm,” which incorporated the phrase into viral lyrics. Numerous video edits and GIFs have since emerged, with creators using popular meme templates to riff on the original joke.
Musical and Creative Adaptations
The meme inspired various creative works, most notably YouTuber Senzawa‘s viral rap song “Rawr x3 / You So Warm,” which incorporated the phrase into catchy lyrics that introduced the meme to even wider audiences.
Numerous video edits, GIFs, and remixes have emerged across platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Reddit, with creators using popular meme templates to create variations on the original joke.
Why Are People Reacting So Strongly To The Meme?
The meme’s sudden prominence comes from the jarring contrast between a silly internet joke and a serious violent crime. There’s an inherent shock value in seeing something so absurd and cringey in such a dark context.
Many younger internet users, especially those in gaming and furry communities, immediately recognized the reference, while older generations were completely baffled. This generational knowledge gap added to the bizarre nature of the story.
As one Reddit commenter put it: “Worse, the bullet that took Charlie out was the ‘Notices bulge OWO What’s this?’ meme” – calling the shooter a “furry porn-addicted post-ironic Groyper gun nut.” This comment highlights the bizarre collision of internet culture with real-world violence.
Media analysts have described it as an example of “irony-poisoned internet memes” – expressions that are so exaggerated they function as edgy humor. They noted the shooter was “speaking the language of memes” by using such phrases.
What Other Messages Were Found On The Bullets?
Investigators revealed that the shooter had inscribed various messages on different bullet casings, not just the “OwO” phrase. Other inscriptions referenced video games, anti-fascist slogans like “Bella Ciao,” and references to the game Helldivers.
This mix of pop culture references, memes, and political statements suggests the shooter was deliberately combining internet culture with his violent act. Experts suggest this represents a troubling trend of “nihilistic” online behavior crossing into real-world violence.
Before all details were confirmed, some commentators incorrectly claimed the bullet messages represented “transgender ideology.” Fact-checkers quickly corrected this mischaracterization, explaining they were simply internet memes and slogans unrelated to gender identity.
How Are People Using The Meme Now?
As of September 2025, the phrase continues to circulate online, mostly in reference to the Kirk shooting. It appears across all major social media platforms, often paired with shocked reaction videos or dark humor.
TikTok creators have made videos explaining the meme to confused users, while Reddit communities like r/dankmemes share it with new jokes and commentary. News clips showing officials discussing the phrase continue to generate millions of views.
The meme has received mention in international media, including outlets in India, the UK, and elsewhere, as journalists attempt to explain this strange cultural phenomenon to their audiences. Currently, there are no significant regional variations; users worldwide are encountering it in the same context.
No mainstream brands or celebrities have adopted the phrase (for obvious reasons), and it remains primarily confined to online discussions about the Kirk case. Its future usage will likely depend on how the investigation proceeds and whether public interest in the case continues.
What’s The Future Of The “OwO What’s This?” Meme?
Like most internet memes, the “OwO What’s This?” phrase will likely fade from popular usage over the coming weeks or months. However, its connection to the Kirk shooting means it will probably be remembered longer than most internet jokes.
Some niche communities might keep it alive as a running gag, but it will likely be remembered primarily as that weird meme that unexpectedly showed up in a major crime investigation. Future internet historians might reference it when discussing how online culture intersects with real-world events.
The meme serves as a reminder that internet jokes can escape their original contexts in unpredictable and sometimes disturbing ways. As one online commentator noted, it’s an example of how “internet humor turned deadly serious.”
Quick Facts About The “OwO What’s This?” Meme
• Origin: First appeared around 2013 in furry and anime roleplay communities
• Meaning: Parodies exaggerated flirtatious language in online roleplay, using OwO to represent wide, surprised eyes
• Viral Moment: September 2025, when it was found engraved on a bullet in the Charlie Kirk shooting
• Key Platforms: Started on DeviantArt and Imgur, now trending across Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok
• Notable Remix: Senzawa’s rap song “Rawr x3 / You So Warm” incorporating the phrase
• Cultural Impact: Forced mainstream media to explain niche internet subcultures to general audiences
• Current Status: Mainly referenced in discussions about the Kirk case across social media
The phrase appeared on bullet casings found at the Charlie Kirk shooting site, with investigators displaying these at a press conference. Whether you find it shocking, confusing, or darkly humorous, this meme’s unexpected appearance in a high-profile crime case shows how even the most obscure corners of internet culture can suddenly become part of our national conversation.
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