Is someone telling you something you can’t believe happened? Maybe they gave your shocking news that you can’t wrap your head around? If that’s the case, you could always ask them to “please say sike.”
This post unpacks everything you need to know about this idiomatic meme.
Please Say Sike Idiom Meaning
“Please say sike” is a phrase from the modern era. You’ll use it when asking people to withdraw their statements and tell you that you are kidding. Typically, it’s a reactionary phrase, and you’ll use it in a state of shock and awe at what the other person has to say.
The word “sike” means to play around with someone’s feelings. You might say something to them that causes shock, saying “sike” afterward to tell the person you’re joking, allowing them to experience relief.
So, when someone says, “please say sike,” they are asking you if you’re kidding because they can’t face the news you’re telling them.
The phrase is also the subject of viral memes, and you’ll find thousands of examples online. You can use the memes in messaging apps or streaming chats as a way to tell the other person to come clean with their joke or to ask if they are kidding.
For instance, you could tell your friend that you saw the police looking for them, and they have a warrant for their arrest. As the person starts to panic, you interject with “sike,” making them feel like a fool while helping them unwind with relief.
Please Say Sike Example Usage
“What do you mean you’re breaking up with me? Please say sike.”
“I failed the exam? Please say sike.”
“You want me to go with you where? Please say sike.”
“You lost all the money gambling? Please say sike.”
“You crashed my car on the way to the store? Please say sike.”
Please Say Sike Idiom Origin
“Please Say Sike” is a variation of the original gaming meme, “say sike right now.” The meme first appeared in early 2019 on Twitter. The meme features an image of the blue piranha plant in the game “Super Mario.”
The most common image used in the current version of the meme features Eric from “The Eric Andre show,” after Eric Balfour reacts to Andre telling him something shocking. The words “Please say sike” appears in the text at the top and bottom of the meme.
The meme appears as a jpeg, and there are several GIFs of the meme as well. However, there are now hundreds of meme variations other than the original. Typically, the image will show someone with a reactionary expression or crying underneath the caption.
Most people use the meme when reacting to surprising, shocking, or bad news.
Phrases Similar to Please Say Sike
- Please tell me you’re kidding.
- Please tell me you’re joking.
- Please tell me that’s not real.
Phrases Opposite to Please Say Sike
- I’m fine with that.
- No problem.
- That’s okay.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Please say sike.
Ways People May Say Please Say Sike Incorrectly
Some people may use the term incorrectly. As a gaming term and meme, it’s likely that people in the Baby Boomer generation won’t understand what you mean. The phrase does not suit use in professional settings, as the word “sike” is slang.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Please Say Sike
You can use “please say sike” in social and informal settings where you’re hoping that someone doesn’t mean what they are saying. You can say the phrase to people you do or don’t know. You can use the term while playing games online or in real life when you’re trying to tell someone that you can’t believe what they are saying.