There are times when certain phrases or terms become popular on the Internet for all the wrong reasons. They may be something inappropriate that is turned into a joke, or something that may be offensive to some but, again, a joke to others.
In terms of the former, “what are you doing step bro?” is a good example. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The phrase “what are you doing step bro?” is a reference to the adult entertainment industry, in which step siblings have some kind of sexual relationship. It had turned into a popular meme on social media sites like TikTok, where audio saying “what are you doing step bro?” is put over videos.
Though this phrase started out mainly being used in the adult entertainment industry, it is something that is now understood by most adults and teenagers. In most cases it is used as a crude joke or to imply that someone is having an inappropriate relationship. More information can be found in the video (here).
Example Usage
“Hey, what are you doing step bro? Get out of my room!”
“Like I was saying earlier- what are you doing step bro?”
“Yeah, I was in my room and Josh came in acting weird, and I was like what are you doing step bro?”
“What are you doing step bro? It’s the middle of the night.”
Origin
This phrase and the audio that is often associated with it is typically credited to Family Strokes studio, which makes adult films centered around the step-sibling fetish. They feature an intro at the beginning of their videos where the line “what are you doing step bro?” was taken from.
The audio has been parodied by many different people and has become popular on TikTok, with thousands of videos appearing under the audio’s name. The phrase has made its way across multiple social media platforms. In a video uploaded to Twitter by the username “Daric”, he references the line in a playthrough of the popular horror game Outlast that he was streaming.
The creator EmilyRoseCollinz is often credited with making the phrase popular on TikTok, because of a skit video she made pretending to prepare for a serious audition, only to say “what are you doing step bro?” Various other users of the app have made their own spoof videos based off of hers. Compilations of “what are you doing step bro?” videos have been posted to YouTube and shared on Reddit, only gaining the phrase more popularity.
Another format of the meme that is also often seen on sites like Reddit are photos of inanimate objects in suggestively sexual positions, with captions like “what are you doing step ladder?” and various other plays on the phrase.
Phrases Similar to What Are You Doing Step Bro?
- Sus/suspicious
- Fetish/fantasy/etc.
- Sibling relationship
Phrases Opposite to What Are You Doing Step Bro?
- Platonic siblings
- Nonsexual
What is the Correct Saying?
- “What are you doing step bro?” is itself the correct saying.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say What Are You Doing Step Bro?
The phrase is used to refer to someone’s step brother who is acting strange, or who is acting in a way that may imply something other than what he says he is doing. This is often in a sexual context. Using this phrase to refer to anything else would be the incorrect way to use it. Some ways that “what are you doing step bro?” is used incorrectly are:
- Hey Cindy! What are you doing step bro?
- What are you doing step bro? Making dinner?
- I think Jason is playing guitar outside. What are you doing step bro?
Acceptable Ways to Phrase What Are You Doing Step Bro?
- What are you doing step bro? Why are you wearing those sweatpants?
- It’s ten o’clock at night. What are you doing step bro?
- What are you doing step bro? I was about to shower.