Always Has Been Meme Meaning & Origin
Everything you need to know about the Always Has Been meme: where it came from, what it means, and how to use it.
Origin
The "Always Has Been" meme features two astronauts in space looking at Earth. One astronaut has a realization about Earth ("Wait, it is all Ohio?"), and the second astronaut, holding a gun, responds "Always has been." The format originated from a 2018 illustration and gained massive popularity on Reddit in mid-2020, particularly with the "Wait, it is all Ohio?" variant. The meme exploded during the pandemic when people had extra time to create and share content online. The format became so popular that it spawned thousands of variations covering every topic imaginable, from philosophy to pop culture to programming.
What Does the Always Has Been Meme Mean?
The "Always Has Been" meme reveals that something has been true all along, often in a surprising or conspiratorial way. The gun-holding astronaut represents someone who has known the truth the entire time, adding a darkly comedic element of revelation. It is used to express that a situation, trend, or reality has been the case longer than people realize.
When to Use the Always Has Been Meme
Use this meme to reveal a hidden truth or to joke about something that has always been a certain way. The first astronaut expresses surprise at a realization, and the second astronaut confirms it was always true. Works well for industry truths ("Wait, all code is copied from Stack Overflow?"), cultural observations, or any surprising-but-obvious revelation.