Buzz
A deep dive into the viral, sarcastic phrase
Have you come across 'womp womp' on social media and wondered what it means? You're in the right spot! The phrase 'womp womp' mimics the sound of a sad trombone typically heard on cartoons or game shows, and it's become a fun way to mock someone's complaints or failures in a playful, silly way. It's kind of like saying 'too bad, so sad.' Below, we’ll guide you through how to use this phrase on social media and in real life. Let’s get started!
What You Need to Know
- 'Womp womp' is the sound of a sad trombone, typically used on TV when something goes wrong for a character—it's a playful way to mock complaints or failures.
- The phrase is usually sarcastic, often appearing in video comments when someone makes a trivial or insignificant complaint.
- You can use 'womp womp' to jokingly react to a friend's minor inconveniences, like when they spill their coffee.
How to Use It
What Does Womp Womp Mean?
'Womp womp' mimics the sound of a sad trombone, essentially meaning 'too bad, so sad.' It's a sarcastic way to respond to someone else's disappointment, complaints, or failures. On platforms like TikTok and other social media, users often drop this phrase in response to someone complaining about something trivial. While it can occasionally be used to show sympathy, more often than not, it's a light-hearted way of telling someone to get over it.
- Example: Imagine someone says: 'Ugh, I got an A+ on the test, but I’m bummed because I didn’t need to spend so much time studying.'
- In this case, their friend might jokingly reply with 'womp womp' because complaining about an A+ is a bit silly when it's such a great grade!
- Example: Picture someone sharing on TikTok that they received a new computer for their birthday, but they were hoping for a new car.
- Someone might comment 'womp womp' to highlight how lucky they are and suggest they shouldn’t complain!
Using Womp Womp in Conversation & Online
Responding to a friend's mild complaints. If you and your friend or sibling enjoy a playful dynamic, feel free to hit them with a 'womp womp' when they tell you about a minor inconvenience, like spilling their drink or getting grounded.
- 'Womp womp' works in both text messages and verbal conversations.
- However, if they’re genuinely upset, a sincere response might be better. Using 'womp womp' when someone’s hurt or truly disappointed might come across as dismissive.
Show a troll their words don’t faze you. The internet is full of people who love to throw shade, and if you ever get a hurtful comment about your appearance or personality, respond with a simple 'womp womp' to show you’re unfazed.
- Likewise, if someone’s whining about something insignificant (like a band they dislike dropping a new album or a TV show casting decision), replying with 'womp womp' can let them know they need to move on.
- For an even stronger response, you can post a video. For example, if someone insults your body, post a video confidently showing off the body part they criticized, and include 'womp womp' either in the video or caption.
Create a video to show your ex how amazing you’re doing. Many TikTokers love using 'womp womp' in their videos. A popular trend is posting something like 'He’s with a new girl' or 'They say they miss me,' paired with a basic selfie, before switching to a gorgeous photo of themselves with the caption 'womp womp.' This suggests you're thriving without them.
- This trend isn’t limited to exes. You can use it to share how you've moved on from a toxic friend or any situation. In this case, the phrase is like saying 'oh well' or 'too bad.'
The Origin of Womp Womp
Womp womp might have roots in vaudeville. While the exact origin of the sad trombone sound is uncertain, many trace its beginnings back to North America between the 1880s and 1930s. During this era, vaudeville comedies were incredibly popular. Since then, the sound has become synonymous with failure, especially when used during TV game shows to highlight a contestant's mishap.
