What Does 'In Another Life, I Would Have Really Liked Just Doing Laundry and Taxes With You' Mean? The Oscar-Worthy Meme Phrase Explained

Everything Everywhere All At Once (EEAO) swept through the Academy Awards in 2023, adding to the universal acclaim enjoyed by production house A24 films. The absurdist science-fiction-comedy-drama film joins the ranks of other meme-hall of fame movies like The Lighthouse, The Whale and Uncut Gems, but in the form of a dialogue that may be confusing without context.

What's with all the memes showing characters saying, "In another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you?" Here's how EEAO turned chores into a timeless romantic gesture.

Where Does The Laundry And Taxes Quote Come From?

In a scene from the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, the main character Evelyn jumps into the mind and body of her alternate-universe self. In this universe, Evelyn does not run a laundromat with her husband Waymond but is instead a famous unmarried movie star. Outside a movie premiere, Evelyn encounters an alternate version of Waymond, which is when he delivers the famous line of dialogue to her.

How Did The Dialogue Become Popular In Memes?

The phrase came to be used in memes in March 2023, with various meme pages subbing out Evelyn and Waymond for other characters. An early meme shows Lord Of The Rings meme characters Gimili and Legolas exchanging the lines. Another early meme shows Batman and the Riddler being curiously romantic while using the dialogue as well.

How Can I Use The 'Laundry And Taxes' Line In A Meme?

A popular use of the iconic dialogue from the movie is to insert it into screen captures of otherwise non-romantic movie and TV scenes.

For the full history of the dialogue-turned-meme, be sure to check out our entry on it here for even more information.