What Is the “City Boy” Meme? Meaning, Origins & More

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Meme, brainrot, and slang expert Tobi Nwodo explains why this Gravity Falls clip is trending on TikTok

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by Tobi Nwodo

Last Updated: February 23, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Meme Explained
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• Origin & Spread
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• 2026 Resurgence
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• More Viral Memes
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• Video

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Have you heard of the “city boy” meme and wondered what it means? Well, you’re not alone, and we’re here to break it down for you! In this article, with the help of meme, brainrot, and slang expert Tobi Nwodo, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the latest meme, including its meaning, origin, and resurgence in 2026. We’ll also cover more viral memes so you’re up to date on the hottest trends!

“City Boy” Meme Overview

Meme, brainrot, and slang expert Tobi Nwodo says the “city boy” meme comes from the Disney Channel animated show Gravity Falls. It’s a popular reaction meme template that’s paired with videos of men dismissing or “humbling” women. The meme originally went viral on TikTok in 2022 and has resurged in January 2026.

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Section 1 of 4:

What is the “city boy” meme?

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1. 
   The city boy meme is a trend about men prioritizing themselves over women. It’s a reaction meme template from the Disney Channel animated show Gravity Falls. TikTokers pair the show clip with videos of men acting coldly or “savagely” toward women. This is because the slang term “city boy” refers to a man who chases money and success rather than relationships. Here are some examples of the city boy meme:

   • This TikTok video from @roccavellli shows a guy dodging a girl after attempting a kiss, followed by the city boy meme.
   • This TikTok video from @hablesiochi shows a guy roasting a girl for having a small chest, with the city boy meme stitched at the end.
   • This TikTok video from @idksterlingally shows two women being rejected by a man in a street interview, with the city boy meme added at the end.
   • This TikTok video from @dr.smeckles shows a man confronting a woman for taking selfies on his motorcycle without permission, with the meme added at the end.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Tobi Nwodo is a meme, brainrot, and slang expert based in Los Angeles, CA, with 9+ years of experience. His goal is to educate and entertain his audience by explaining the newest slang, memes, and brainrot characters.
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Section 2 of 4:

Origin & Spread of the City Boy Meme

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1. 
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   The city boy meme originates from the animated show Gravity Falls. Nwodo says, “The meme shows a character from the cartoon Gravity Falls saying 'city boy' whilst making fun of the main character.” It comes from the third episode of season one, titled “Headhunters,” which first aired on Disney Channel on June 30, 2012. In the episode, Deputy Durland mockingly shouts, “City boy! City boy!” to ridicule the main character, Dipper, for being from the city and believing he can solve a local crime. The Gravity Falls clip resurfaced online as a reaction meme in June 2022.

   • Nwodo says TikTokers began repurposing the clip to comment on situations where men would reject or “humble” women by flipping the script.
   • “It's typically played after a 'sigma male' moment along with clips from Future, Six9ine, and Lil Wayne,” he explains.
   • It went viral after TikToker @theboyzbible posted a since-deleted video of a guy refusing to give a girl his Snapchat, paired with the meme. The original TikTok video is from @wasgehtheute1st.
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   The slang term “city boy” is a response to the “hot girl summer” trend. In May 2019, American rapper Megan Thee Stallion released the artwork for her album Fever. She declared summer 2019 to be a “hot girl summer,” a time where women should do whatever they want and be unapologetically themselves. The term “hot girl summer” went viral, so men started to post a male-centric version of the trend, calling it a “city boy summer.” Instead of focusing on having fun and self-confidence, however, it inspired memes that dismissed women.

   • Eventually, the “summer” part was dropped, and the term “city boy” stuck around. This is what inspired the city boy meme that’s trending today.
   • In mid-July 2019, the term “city boy” was added to Urban Dictionary, defined as a “man who is living his very best life and chasing the bag at all times without letting Hot Girls or any female get in the way.”
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Section 3 of 4:

City Boy Meme 2026 Resurgence

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1. 
   The city boy meme surged on TikTok in January 2026. There’s no clear reason why the meme has gained popularity on the platform again, especially since it follows the same concept and format as the original videos from 2022. That said, once a TikTok trend goes viral, other users quickly latch on and create their own videos.

Section 4 of 4:

More Viral Memes

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1. Here are more popular memes taking over social media. New memes and trends are constantly popping up online, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. If you want to be in the know, check out these funny viral memes below:

   • Domer Meme
   • Flow State Meme
   • Only in Ohio Meme
   • Spiders Georg Meme
   • Dolphin Rainbow Meme
   • Ballerina Cappuccina Meme
   • Chad Does What Chad Wants Meme
   • You Take the Moon and You Take the Sun Meme
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