Joker Arc

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About

Joker Arc is a slang expression implying that a person is undergoing a metaphorical transformation from a functioning member of society into an anti-social maniac, with society being at fault. The phrase is often used in combination with images of a certain unfair occurrence that served as a trigger point for one's "Joker arc." The expression references comic book villain Joker, particularly his possible origin story from the 2019 film of the same name.

Origin

The phrase "joker arc" in its memetic sense is a simultaneous invention, with several users coming up with the expression independently in October 2019 following the premiere of the 2019 film Joker. In the film, character Arthur Fleck, played by Joaquin Phoenix, undergoes a transition from a maladapted social reject into a violent psychopath as constant mistreatment by society pushes him towards this path.

On October 17th and 22nd, 2019, Twitter^[1]^[2] users @ElMeIloi and @gamefreakyoshi posted the two earliest tweets using the phrase, with neither of the posts gaining traction (shown below, left and right).

Spread

In late 2019 and early 2019, more unconnected posts using the phrase were posted on Twitter; for example, on November 27th, 2019, Twitter^[3] user @nm_GRUNT posted a video of YouTuber Onision rambling erratically, captioning it, "Onisions Joker arc has officially begun." On April 28th, Twitter^[4] user @arizonablueme tweeted, "you’re not on your joker arc she’s just fucking someone cooler and better looking than you," with the tweet gaining 23 likes in one year (shown below, left).

The expression experienced its first uptick in use in August 2020, when multiple tweets containing the expression were posted. For example, on August 15th, Twitter^[5] user @Shlimeszn1 posted a tweet that gained 5 retweets and 47 likes in one year (shown below, right).

On December 14th, 2020, Twitter^[6] user @riplimewire posted the earliest found tweet containing the expression to break 400 likes (shown below, left). Starting in 2021, the expression saw further spread on Twitter,^[7]^[8] with multiple tweets posted in January – March period receiving over 100 likes (example shown below, right).

On March 22nd, 2021, Twitter^[9] user @WilburSoft posted the earliest found tweet containing the slang expression to break 5,000 like. A tweet^[10] posted by user @girlpowertbh on June 18th, 2021, received over 3,700 retweets and 25,200 likes in five months (shown below, left). In August 2021, the expression saw a burst in use after rapper Kanye West leaked a screenshot a group chat in which he dissed Drake and posted an image of Joker from the 2019 film went viral, with social media users commenting that West entered his "joker arc." For example, an August 21st tweet^[11] by user @CrypticNoHoes gained over 2,300 retweets and 43,200 likes in three months (shown below, right). A tweet^[12] posted by user @flackospurity on the same day received over 1,000 retweets and 15,400 likes in the same period.

In late August 2021, the phrase achieved wide recognition on social media. On August 23rd, 2021, Twitter^[13] user @gilb3er101 posted a Your Honor meme that gained over 15,900 retweets and 145,700 likes in three months (shown below), with more viral posts with the expression being posted in the following months.