What Is the "Always Has Been" Meme? Origin & Meaning
Learn about the "Always Has Been" astronaut meme. Origin, meaning, and how to make your own version for free.
The "Always Has Been" meme (also called the "Wait, it's all..." meme) features two astronauts in space looking at Earth. The first astronaut has a realization about something ("Wait, it's all [X]?"). The second astronaut, standing behind with a gun pointed at the first, responds: "Always has been."
The format originated from Ohio vs. The World memes in early 2020, where the first astronaut realizes "Wait, it's all Ohio?" The template quickly evolved beyond Ohio to cover any situation where someone discovers a surprising truth that was apparently always known.
How It Works
The first astronaut discovers that something is not what they thought it was ("Wait, it's all [something unexpected]?"). The second astronaut confirms this was always the case ("Always has been"). The gun implies this is dangerous knowledge not meant to be discovered.
Why It Went Viral
The format works because of its dramatic irony. The idea of someone discovering a truth so threatening that they might be silenced for it adds a layer of absurdist humor to otherwise mundane observations.
Common Uses
The meme is used for: conspiracy-style jokes, revealing obvious truths, commenting on how things have always been a certain way, and any "shocking" realization that is actually common knowledge.