From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
O RLY? is an internet phenomenon, typically presented as an image macro featuring a Snowy Owl.[1] The phrase "O RLY?", an abbreviated form of "Oh, really?", is popularly used in internet forums in a sarcastic manner, often in response to an obvious, predictable,[2][3] or blatantly false statement. Similar owl image macros followed the original to present different views, including images with the phrases "YA RLY" (Yeah, really) and "NO WAI!!" (No way!).[4][5]
History
The phrase "O RLY?" was used on the Something Awful Forums at least as early as August 2003.[6] The original "O RLY?" Snowy Owl image macro is based on a photo taken by nature photographer John White, which he posted to the newsgroup alt.binaries.pictures.animals in 2001.[7] According to White, the owl's expression in the photo was due to the bird panting to cool off, similar to a dog.[8] The expression was interpreted by an unidentified person to say "oh really?", and the phrase O RLY? was photoshopped in large letters at the bottom of the image. The O RLY? owl quickly became a standard retort to disputed statements to express disbelief,[9] and was followed by other owl image macros with phrases such as "YA RLY", ""NO WAI!" and a number of others.[8]
Outside of internet forums, O RLY? has been referenced in various video games, including World of Warcraft in which the auctioneer characters O’Reely and Yarly are a reference to "O RLY?" and "YA RLY!".[10] An Australian sketch comedy show has used "O RLY?" and "YA RLY" as subtitles for the "To be or not to be" soliloquy from Hamlet.[8]
Hoots Computer worm
In 2006, anti-virus company Sophos discovered a computer worm known as "W32/Hoots-A", which sends a graphical image of a snowy owl with the legend "O RLY?" to a print queue when it infects a Windows-based computer.[11][12] A Sophos spokesman said that it appeared that the virus, written in visual basic, was not written by a professional, but that: "it appears this malware was written for a specific organisation, by someone who had inside knowledge of their IT infrastructure."[13]
See also
References
- ^ Hogstrom, Erik (19 August 2007). "Cat-tales". Telegraph-Herald (Dubuque, Iowa). http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/telegraph-herald-dubuque-iowa/mi_8023/is_20070819/cat-tales/ai_n44821510/. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Agger, Michael (21 May 2007). "Cat Power - You cannot resist lolcats". Slate. http://www.slate.com/id/2166338/. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Rohling, Simon (2 November 2007). ""HALP! Therez LOLCats Evrywhare!"" (in German). Telepolis (Heise). http://www.heise.de/tp/r4/artikel/26/26405/1.html. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Langton, Jerry (2007-09-22). "Funny how `stupid' site is addictive". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/living/article/257955. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
- ^ Sutherland, JJ (May 16, 2006). "'O RLY!' Worm Confirms Faith In Humanity". NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5409152. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Fantastipotamus (2003-08-30). "What was the weirdest/funniest answer you ever put on a test?". http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=677909. Retrieved 2007-02-14.
- ^ John White (2001-02-17). "Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca)003 - Silly lookingface". http://animalpicturesarchive.com/animal/ViewImg.cgi?img=a7/Snowy_Owl_Nyctea_scandiaca_005-by_John_White.jpg. Retrieved 2007-01-20.
- ^ a b c Patrizio, Andy (December 7, 2007). "O RLY? Thank Photoshop For Internet's Goofy Memes". QuinStreet Inc./InternetNews.com. http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/print.php/3714326. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
- ^ Clark, Neils; P. Shavaun Scott (2009). "Appendix C. Commonly used internet and gamer slang". Game Addiction: The Experience and the Effects. McFarland. ISBN 0786443642. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=vABUDDf2kSsC&pg=PA181#v=onepage&q=&f=false.
- ^ Arendt, Susan (January 4, 2008). "14 Pop Culture Easter Eggs in World of Warcraft". Wired.com. http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/01/14-pop-culture/. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ Staff Writers (2006-05-12). "Sophos discovers hooting virus". CRN Australia. crn.com.au. http://www.crn.com.au/story.aspx?CIID=37699. Retrieved 2006-07-16.
- ^ Khare, Sharon (May 15, 2006). "Owl Virus Targets Network Printers". Tech2. http://tech2.in.com/india/news/printers/owl-virus-targets-network-printers/389/0. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
- ^ "Hoots mon, there's a worm in my printer!". The Inquirer. Incisive Financial Publishing Limited. May 12, 2006. http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1048296/hoots-mon-theres-a-worm-in-my-printer. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
External links
Reference
Quiz
Misc
Search
