Buzz
Here’s everything you need to know about the viral TikTok meme
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok recently, you’ve likely come across the phrase ‘just put the fries in the bag, bro’ in comment threads. But what does this phrase really mean, and how is it properly used? In this article, we’ll break down the meaning, history, and context of ‘put the fries in the bag,’ plus offer tips on how to respond when someone uses it with you. Keep reading for all the details!
What’s the meaning of ‘just put the fries in the bag, bro’?
This phrase is a form of insult, designed to belittle someone and suggest they are beneath you. It stems from a fictional situation where a person visits a fast-food spot and encounters a former high school classmate working there. When the employee attempts to strike up a conversation, the customer responds with, ‘Just put the fries in the bag, bro.’
How to Use the Phrase
Meaning & Origin of 'Put the Fries in the Bag'
This phrase serves as an insult, suggesting you are superior to someone else. The expression 'just put the fries in the bag, bro' is often used to belittle someone, insinuating that their future is limited to a job at a fast food chain. It originated from a Facebook meme posted in 2022, portraying a made-up conversation between a fast food worker and a customer. The worker says, 'I ain’t seen you since high school,' to which the customer replies, 'Just put my ketchup in the bag bro.'
- In this scenario, the phrase is a harsh putdown, dismissing the worker as unimportant and implying they are inferior to the customer.
- It essentially labels someone as a failure, making it a pretty brutal comment.
- As the phrase spread, 'ketchup' was replaced with 'fries.'
In 2023, the phrase 'put the fries in the bag' exploded on TikTok. Users started posting comedic skits inspired by the meme, while others created their own variations. For instance, TikTok user @coopermitcchell uploaded a
video where he portrays a talented basketball player being recruited by top colleges, only to reveal he’s actually an NBA2K character. The skit concludes with someone saying 'just put my fries in the bag, bro,' as a way to dismiss the character and suggest their future only leads to a fast food job.
How to Use the Phrase 'Put the Fries in the Bag'
To insult others by suggesting they lack success or future opportunities. If someone presents an idea or career plan that seems unrealistic, others may respond with 'just put the fries in the bag, bro,' implying the person’s future will be limited to working in fast food. For example:
- 'The TikTok I posted last week went viral, so I think I’m going to drop out of my master’s program and pursue content creation full-time.'
- 'What? How will you even support yourself? Just put the fries in the bag, bro.'
Used as a Dismissive Comment on TikTok Users frequently comment 'just put the fries in the bag, bro' on TikTok videos to insult or shame the original poster. This often happens when someone feels the poster is discussing something they’re unqualified for, sharing an unrealistic business idea, or expressing a viewpoint they disagree with.
- For instance, if someone posts a TikTok claiming they’re starting a mental health counseling service without any formal training, a commenter might reply, 'Just put the fries in the bag, bro.'
To Get Someone to Stay Focused In the original Facebook meme, the customer uses the phrase to let the fast food worker know they’re not interested in catching up—they just want their food. Similarly, 'just put the fries in the bag' can be used to tell someone to stay on topic and stop straying into unrelated subjects.
- For example, if you’re asking a friend for help with a math problem but they start rambling about their weekend, you might say, 'just put the fries in the bag, bro,' to steer them back to the issue at hand.
How to React to 'Just Put the Fries in the Bag'
If someone says this phrase to you, it can be hurtful. Perhaps you were sharing a future plan and someone dismissed it by saying 'put the fries in the bag,' implying it was foolish. Even if the person was joking, it can still be quite upsetting. It’s perfectly okay to express your feelings and let them know how the comment affected you. Try using 'I' statements to communicate your emotions. Here are some examples:
- 'I was excited to share my idea, but when you said that, it made me feel dismissed and mocked. I know you meant it as a joke, but it hurt.'
- 'I'm already stressed about my career path, so hearing that comment made me feel like you don’t believe in me.'
Is Saying 'Put the Fries in the Bag' Cruel?
‘Put the fries in the bag’ can be a hurtful way to insult someone. The phrase is often used to belittle others, implying that you’re superior to them while suggesting they have no future beyond a fast food job. This is a pretty harsh sentiment! What’s more problematic is the comparison between someone and a fast food worker to insult them. There's absolutely nothing wrong with working at a fast food restaurant, and using it as a way to put someone down isn’t fair.
- While it’s possible to use 'put the fries in the bag' in a playful or joking manner, it’s important to remember that it could genuinely hurt someone.
- Additionally, the phrase doesn’t just insult the person on the receiving end—it also devalues fast food workers, which is unfair.
- Given all of this, it’s wise to think twice before using it.
Related Memes & Expressions
‘Sir, this is a Wendy’s’ Much like ‘put the fries in the bag,’ this phrase comes from a fictional fast food interaction. In this scenario, a customer tries to steer the conversation off-topic, while the employee is simply trying to get the job done. In response, the employee says, 'Sir, this is a Wendy’s.' Now, this phrase is used to shut someone down or bring them back to reality when they’re rambling about something irrelevant or off-point.
- For instance, if you’re working with a colleague on a project and they suddenly start talking about whether or not ghosts exist, you might respond with, 'Ma’am, this is a Wendy’s,' to refocus them on the task at hand.
- The phrase may have originated from an episode of The Office, in which Michael Scott calls a number he thinks belongs to a woman, but it turns out to be the phone number of a Wendy’s restaurant. When he flirts, the employee responds, 'No sir, this is a Wendy’s restaurant.'
‘I just want my fries, bro’ This phrase comes from a meme showing a Chick-fil-A employee performing an impressive split jump in the air, with the caption, 'I just want my fries, bro 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️.' It’s a spin on the original 'put the fries in the bag' meme. In both scenarios, the customer just wants to get their food and leave, rather than engage in conversation or watch someone perform a stunt.
- In other words, it’s a way of saying, 'Let’s get to the point so we can move on.'
‘It’s in the bag’ The idiom ‘it’s in the bag’ refers to something being already taken care of or guaranteed success. For example:
- 'Don’t worry about the meeting tomorrow. The boss told me your promotion is already in the bag.'
- 'When the game started and we saw how poorly the other team was playing, we knew the championship was in the bag.'
- 'I’ve studied so hard for this test, I’m not even worried. That A+ is in the bag.'
