Bring Out the Fine China

Submission 39,836

About

Bring Out the Fine China refers to a catchphrase and series of memes in which users showcase unusual drinkware and dinnerware, typically merchandise for various franchises, referring to it as "fine china," meaning that they prize their items like they would expensive porcelain. The format gained popularity online following a viral post showcasing promotional Halo Infinite cups.

Origin

On October 16th, 2020, Twitter^[1] user @Xbox_SUPERFAN posted a photograph of four promotional Halo Infinite cups obtainable at a convenience store chain in Canada. The post received 45 retweets and over 440 likes.

On October 17th, Redditor MerryShip posted the image, captioned "Honey, we have guests, bring out the fine china" to the /r/HaloMemes^[2] subreddit where it gained over 2,900 upvotes in six months (shown below).

Spread

In mid-October 2020, the image received viral spread online. On October 19th, Redditor Professional_Syrup85^[3] reposted the image to the /r/okbuddyretard, with the post gaining over 9,100 upvotes in six months. On the same day, Instagram^[4] user male reposted the image, with the post accumulating over 21,400 likes in the same period. An October 23rd repost by Twitter^[5] account @nocontext_halo gained over 1,400 retweets and 6,200 likes.

On October 21st, 2020, Redditor^[6] AncapElijah posted the earliest found derivative meme using the phrase to /r/okbuddyretard, where it received over 3,200 upvotes in six months (shown below).

Starting in October and through late 2020, several viral versions of the meme format were posted online. For example, on October 23rd, 2020, Twitter^[7] user @MADDENLORIAN posted a Star Wars: The Force Awakens meme that gained over 620 retweets and 2,300 likes (shown below, left). On November 2nd, 2020, Tumblr^[8] user lonesomestreet posted a Sonic the Hedgehog meme that gained over 35,500 likes and reblogs (shown below, right).

The format maintained a notable presence online in 2021, with more viral versions appearing on Reddit, Twitter and Facebook.

Gromit Mug

Gromit Mug refers to a mug shaped after the face of Wallace and Gromit deuteragonist Gromit. In March 2020, ironic memes about the mug being a very desirable item gained popularity online, gaining a further boost after popular YouTuber Pyrocynical bought the mug in April 2020.