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Why Are TikTokers Calling SpongeBob 'Pagani?' The Viral 'I Call Patrick Subaru' Spinoff Meme Explained
In the midst of a huge TikTok meme in which users call the character Patrick Star "Subaru," they've now decided to give SpongeBob himself a new nickname.
That nickname is "Pagani," and while some are saying the meme is forced, others are seeing it as a natural extension of the original viral meme.
So why exactly are TikTokers calling SpongeBob "Pagani" and how is the nickname being used as a meme? Here's what you need to know.
What Is The 'Pagani' Meme?
Recently, TikTokers have become obsessed with a recent meme known as "I Call Patrick Subaru." The meme is based on a 2021 comment made to the SpongeBob Fandom page in which user Kmh1481 claims that they call Patrick "Subaru" with no further explanation. A screenshot of this comment went viral on the app in March, sparking a wave of memes that refer to Patrick as Subaru.
On March 5th, TikTok and Reddit users decided to take the meme up another level by giving SpongeBob his own nickname. That name, which was first suggested by either u/moelzekiboi or TikToker @gehegwoj1ga, is "Pagani."
For those who don't know, "Pagani" is a reference to the sports car manufacturer "Pagani," a nod to the original meme, as "Subaru" is also a car manufacturer.
How Is 'Pagani' Used In Memes?
The "Pagani" meme is used in largely the same way as the "Patrick Subaru" meme. In the Subaru memes, TikTokers share screenshots from SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Patrick and refer to him by the nickname. The attached captions often jokingly make fun of Patrick for being dumb or being a bad friend to SpongeBob.
In a similar vein, the Pagani memes feature screenshots of SpongeBob, often next to Subaru. These captions further poke fun at Subaru and the relationship between the two, portraying Subaru as a bad friend to SpongeBob.
Some also poke fun at SpongeBob for a variety of things, like being unable to drive despite the numerous attempts at his driver's test.
Some of these memes also give nicknames to the other characters from the show, with the majority of them relating to cars and car manufacturers.
@swordfish.vr Pagani was always so geeked🥀 #subaru #pagani #fyp #funny #spongebob ♬ son original – NODDI
@whereismynamme I call patrick subaru #spongebob #fyp #viral #patrickstar #subaru #icallpatricksubaru #meme #pagani #car ♬ son original – NODDI
@gehegwoj1ga #subaru #spongebob #spongebobsquarepants #pagani #icallpatricksubaru #meme #fyp ♬ yelda by yhapojj CYBER SPEED – cyberundergr0und
@gehegwoj1ga It’s officially mainstream 💔 #subaru #pagani #icallpatricksubaru #spongebobsquarepants #spongebob #meme #fyp ♬ son original – NODDI
For the full history of Pagani and Subaru, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.
