Social media platforms are notorious for sparking unique trends that captivate audiences worldwide. One recent trend that has caught the attention of netizens globally is the “Look between [specific letters] on your keyboard” meme, which has surged to the top of trending lists.
Originating from a meme shared on 4Chan, an anonymous English-language imageboard website in May 2021, the concept is straightforward yet engaging.
The original post instructed users to “Look between t and o on your keyboard” (sic), revealing the hidden message “Yui,” a character from the anime series K-On. Since then, this meme has evolved into what is known as a snowclone, providing a template for humorous variations.
In the past 24 hours, social media users have embraced this format to uncover hidden meanings within characters, celebrities, or public figures’ names. However, the trend has also taken a playful and sometimes bewildering turn, with Rwandan users—both individuals and corporations—creating quirky conversations or playfully trolling others online by prompting them to decode nonsensical messages.
Various corporate accounts have joined the trend, using clever keyboard prompts to engage with their audience. For instance, the e-commerce platform Vuba Vuba prompted users to “Look in between Y and I on your keyboards” to recognize customers’ value alleging they can’t live without them, which I guess is true.
CIMERWA, a cement manufacturer, injected humor into the trend by prompting users to “Look between J and L on your keyboard,” where the letters JK signify “Just Kidding.” In their post, Rwandans playfully jest about desiring another cement manufacturer competitor.
Telecom operator MTN Rwanda capitalized on the trend to announce recruitment, directing users to “Look between X and B on your keyboard.” This call to action invited users to submit their CVs for job applications.
SteelRwa utilized the trend, humorously emphasizing the strength of its steel products. The post featured a scenario:
Her: “You thought you hurt me but you forgot my heart is made of steel”
Him: “Look between J and L on your keyboard.”
The response “K” symbolizes “Okay,” subtly hinting at disinterest or nonchalance.
While not all interpretations of this trend may leave some users confused or annoyed, other posts are genuinely educational or humorous. For example, roxie_ug shared a meme where Jesus tells a blind man to “Look between X and V on your keyboard,” which humorously references the act of seeing (represented by the letter “C” between “X” and “V”).
Another post educates about the dangers of smoking during pregnancy. In the meme, a child born after their mother smoked is referred to as “U” or “you,” continuing the same trend years later.