A whole lot of ridiculousness went down online this past week, but pretty much all of it disappeared as soon as news broke Friday that the UK had voted to leave the European Union, plunging the pound into a deep dive, pushing international relations into confusion, and triggering the resignation of British Prime Minister David Cameron. But as the world falls into uncertainty and depression, it’s worth remembering that not everything is horrible; just, like, 90 percent of everything. For the other 10 percent, we present to you a compendium of some strange and wonderful happenings from the past seven days of the online activity we call “Internet.” While you’ve been fearing for society’s survival, here’s what you might have missed over the last week or so.

What’s a #TeaLizard?

What Happened: It’s Kermit the Frog, not Kermit the Lizard.

Where It Blew Up: Twitter, media think pieces

What Really Happened: Good Morning America accidentally broke the Internet this week when it tried to get people talking about memes in the lead-up a piece about beloved Internet jokes of yore:

If one of those hashtags seems wrong to you, you’re not alone:

Who runs your account? #Tealizard? Really? That’s Kermit…. The frog. Put some respeck on his name/species. https://t.co/xfkU2IVccd — #Southernplayalistic (@TheChipPrice) June 21, 2016

The craziest thing about calling Kermit #TeaLizard is that like, he was a famous thing before being a meme. Like he existed already. — Ryan Broderick (@broderick) June 21, 2016

Last thing, @GMA, a black person on your social team (if you have any) would have stopped #tealizard AND this tweet. https://t.co/dzPl5FAd4f — Terrell J. Starr (@Russian_Starr) June 21, 2016

Kermit bout to send GMA a LENGTHY email about putting RESPECK on his name #TeaLizard pic.twitter.com/AuU0iGrxQ7 — Jasmyn (@JasmynBeKnowing) June 21, 2016

I’m blocking all lizard truthers on sight. I don’t care if it’s sarcasm. Kermit is a frog. Be cute in my Mentions if you want to. #TeaLizard — April (@ReignOfApril) June 21, 2016

The outrage over #TeaLizard became such a thing on Twitter that think pieces started explaining the situation to everyone else.

Here’s the kicker, though; #TeaLizard wasn’t a GMA mistake. It was, in fact, a reference to this tweet from January:

I understand not liking crying Jordan but to not like the tea lizard. Jesus — Celtics Insider (@trillballins) January 21, 2016

That didn’t stop GMA from having to address the issue live on air, however.



The Takeaway: While this was a storm in a teacup (sorry, couldn’t resist), spare a thought for the innocent bystanders in this whole thing:

I could not have chosen a worse day to introduce my #TealIzzard meme. Thanks for nothing, #tealizard pic.twitter.com/E4W1y6BHKz — Joe Blevins (@Joe_A_Blevins) June 21, 2016

A Cheer Went Up … Or Did it?

What Happened: Twitter doesn’t believe that Keith is telling the truth about his 93-year-old mother.

Where It Blew Up: Twitter, media think pieces

What Really Happened: Oh, Brexit. Before we knew for certain that the United Kingdom would go en masse for pulling the trigger on leaving the European Union, there was such an air of freewheeling terror and panic about the entire thing that fueled a campaign making fun of obvious propaganda tweets like this:

Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she’s registered blind. In a very loud voice she said, “Which box for out?” A cheer went up from waiting voters — Keith Adams (@keitheadams) June 23, 2016

There’s so much that pegs this as a strawman argument; the cliche of the old (or very young) relative speaking a “truth” that no one would ever say aloud, for example. The idea that a cheer would go up from waiting voters for anyone saying anything like that. The idea that there are different voting boxes for Leave and Remain. Oh, and the fact that Keith has done this kind of thing before, and keeps messing up the ages of his mother.

Twitter! How did you react?

Took 93yr Mum to vote, she’s been dead for 7 years and didn’t really do anything — mnrrnt (@Mnrrnt) June 23, 2016

Took 93yr Mum to vote registered blind. In very loud voice she said, “I wanna stay here sniff all ya gear” cheer went up from waiting voters — harryfre (@HarryFremantle) June 23, 2016

Just took 93yr old Mum to vote. She’s registered blind and a massive racist, so I gave her some notepaper and led her into a cupboard — Dan Maher (@MrPointyHead) June 23, 2016

Took my 93yr mum to vote, she’s registered blind. In a very loud voice she said “I am the angel of darkness”. Everyone outside was skeletons — B-IN Skipper… wait (@bskipper27) June 23, 2016

Took my 93yr mum to vote, she’s registered blind. In a very loud voice she said “The lannisters send their regards” then stabbed me. — Andy (@ItsProbablyAndy) June 23, 2016

Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she’s registered blind. In a loud voice she said, “jet fuel cant melt steel beams.” A cheer went up from voters. — Ryan Barrell (@RyanBarrell) June 23, 2016

Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she’s registered blind. She’s unaware I took her to Ladbrokes where she voted for Iceland to win the Euros — Ollie Barnes (@barnesy07) June 23, 2016

Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she’s registered blind. She used brail, and quietly filled the slip in properly. She then left quietly. — GeorgeWeahsCousin (@WeahsCousin) June 23, 2016

My 93yr Mum, she’s registered blind, just took ME to vote, at least that’s where she tried to take me, currently walking down the M1 — Harry Seaton (@harryseaton) June 23, 2016

Of course, the media couldn’t resist commenting, prompting Keith to get defensive:

Having been trolled over a tweet about my Mum to vote, I wrote a blog about it. https://t.co/cL7XhOOqc7 — Keith Adams (@keitheadams) June 23, 2016

The blog post, by the way, no longer exists; it was deleted, in part because of responses like this:

@keitheadams @pjadunn Totally unnecessary blog. “Ok, I lied. Sorry” would have comfortably fit in one tweet. — Wafty Crank (@WaftyCrank) June 23, 2016

.@keitheadams so she didn’t say it in ‘a very loud voice’ after all. And people didn’t cheer either. KEITH IS A LIAR. — MAGIC TRAMPS (@Elliot_Eastwick) June 23, 2016

@keitheadams @wordpressdotcom who cares? Your 15 seconds of fame is long over dear. — JackieMac (@JackieMac45) June 23, 2016



The Takeaway: Well, someone got photographic proof of the mother, so it has to be real, right…?

Took 93yr old mum and her friend to vote. #EUref pic.twitter.com/p0R1Ku2Y6P — Baz (@bazlyons) June 23, 2016

Democracy’s Best Friend

What Happened: Look, forget about the result of the Brexit vote for a second and remember happier times, when the most important part of it all was the dogs.

Where It Blew Up: Twitter

What Really Happened: One light in the darkness of the Brexit campaign was the return of #DogsAtPollingStations, a hashtag that originated during last year’s British general election in which people shared photos of their dogs waiting outside of where they were voting. This time around, much to the delight of the media, it happened again:

Jake and I have voted, he put a cross for more treats! #EUelections #dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/NLr5UlmALF — Rob Marshall (@qmasterrob) June 23, 2016

Marv the Lurcher was up early today and got a warm welcome.

His full name is MarvIN ..#dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/bjProAejuu — Mary Shaw (@marycshaw) June 23, 2016

Three things to love: – +2m registered voters on GE15

– Gregg’s profits soaring

– #Dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/0bOmzey0cv — KateVotesRemain (@KateGodfrey_) June 23, 2016

Incase you missed it earlier, here is our very important contribution to the day… #dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/OYaTQVG2od — Caroline Rodgers (@CazRodgers) June 23, 2016

The Takeaway: If this isn’t a sign that someone should get @dog_rates to cover the US elections, then we don’t know what is. If nothing else, it’d be a chance to bring some cuteness into an otherwise ugly campaign.

Fiction Is Stranger Than Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction

What Happened: The NRA announced a new program that people couldn’t believe. For, it turned out, good reason.

Where It Blew Up: Twitter, media reports

What Really Happened: Wednesday, a press release appeared online at NRA-ILA, a website claiming to be for the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, announcing Share the Safety, a new initiative that would allow gun buyers to give a free firearm to those less fortunate than themselves with each new gun they bought.

“The online store, which can be previewed before its official launch at www.ShareTheSafety.org, features a line of stylish Smith & Wesson handguns that have been specially selected for ease of use and concealment in urban environments to maximize both safety and comfort,” the release explained. “Users can sign up now to be notified when the store opens on July 4th. Also on the website, low-income urban residents can apply to receive a free firearm. When one is donated to their city, a recipient is chosen at random from the pool of applicants who are legally permitted to own a gun.”

Twitter was swift to respond:

NRA says they want to ‘Share The Safety’…while they profit on the fear they spread. #Enough #DisarmHate @codepink pic.twitter.com/HXiyK85Vld — Chelsea Byers (@Chelsealeebee) June 22, 2016

Oh…NOW the NRA wants to be inclusive & care about young Black folks (by giving them free guns)? pic.twitter.com/IpWO118JB8 — britni danielle (@BritniDWrites) June 22, 2016

#NRA jumps the shark. program to get more guns into hands of homosexuals,elderly and urban communities. really!

https://t.co/HyPIvfQWaT — Robert Greenwald (@robertgreenwald) June 22, 2016

Of course, some were suspicious:

So, is https://t.co/mjTJ7VEPPL a parody site or not? I’m confused by everything I’ve seen on the TL. Check this: https://t.co/2sKWZpPJYk — deray mckesson (@deray) June 22, 2016

Share The Safety has Yes Men written all over. 5 stars. — Trevor Dykstra (@archibot) June 22, 2016

Turns out, neither Share the Safety or the NRA-ILA are real things, as subsequent reports revealed. The real NRA apparently plans to get its legal team involved, probably for revealing just how untrustworthy most people find the NRA these days.

The Takeaway: In a week where civil rights hero and Georgia congressman John Lewis led a sit-in to push the conversation over gun control back up the agenda following the failure of no less than four gun control measures in the Senate, this hoax was well-timed. But the believability of it underscores just how scary many people find the situation surrounding firearms right now.

Thanks, Beyoncé

What Happened: Poor Abigail Fisher. As if it wasn’t enough to lose a legal battle at the Supreme Court level, she then had to deal with being dogged by Twitter. At least she got a new name out of it.

Where It Blew Up: Twitter

What Really Happened: Congratulations, Lavinia SheBeShonuff (co-host of the Just Thinkin’ Out Loud podcast): you really started something with this response to the Supreme Court ruling against Abigail Fisher on the issue of affirmative action:

#SCOTUS upholds Affirmative Action in the case of Becky with the Bad Grades V U. of Texas. pic.twitter.com/HmqrDrPvkm — Lavinia SheBeShonuff (@SheBeShonuff) June 23, 2016

Within hours, it went from one-off snark to the top trending topic on Twitter, thanks to tweets like this:

She didn’t have the grades. Don’t knock those of us who did. #hookem #beckywiththebadgrades — April Kyle Nassi (@thisisnotapril) June 23, 2016

#BeckyWithTheBadGrades: one of my favorite hashtags of all time. — Ah-lé Swelldoe (@Swelldoeee) June 23, 2016

#BeckyWithTheBadGrades is trending on Twitter… I can’t with y’all. — James K. Holder II (@JKH2) June 23, 2016

The internet has truly been waiting for #BeckyWithTheBadGrades — Omari Weekes (@omariweekes) June 23, 2016

WHO is responsible for this #BeckyWithTheBadGrades thing? I’m DYING laughing over here! — Sassy Fierce (@TheElleNicole) June 23, 2016

Lil Abby better grow up. The SCOTUS has told her. I see she’s salty in the corner, she’s sneaking out the back door #beckywiththebadgrades — Lala Perkins (@SteelersGurlie) June 23, 2016

Also, #BeckyWithTheBadGrades is probably my favorite hashtag in the history of ever. #IaintSorry — Darien J. Smith (@DarienJSmith) June 23, 2016

You done spent up your parents retirement to still be wrong. #StayMadAbby #BeckyWithTheBadGrades — Danyelle (@bigDEElight) June 23, 2016

You spend 5 years suing the school for curving you, and then the Supreme Court Hit you with the “NAH” #BeckyWithTheBadGrades — RespeckMyPolitics (@StanFritz) June 23, 2016

#BeckyWithTheBadGrades is trending. I am constantly in awe of my people. pic.twitter.com/tUpwAsnc3N — Aisha (@alittlelomax) June 23, 2016

The Takeaway: Lavinia returned to the topic after the hashtag started trending, to address a potential factual error: