Money Printer Go Brrr has become a prevalent phrase and meme across the internet, particularly in discussions about economics, finance, and government policy. This meme uses humor to address serious concerns about monetary policy, specifically the concept of quantitative easing and increasing the money supply. It’s a shorthand way to talk about complex economic issues in an accessible and often critical manner.
The meme typically features Wojak characters, often depicting a dialogue or scenario related to economic concerns. The core of the meme revolves around the idea of a “money printer” being activated – often represented by the onomatopoeic “brrr” sound – as a solution to economic problems. This action is usually attributed to central banks like the U.S. Federal Reserve.
Money Printer Go Brrr meme origin on Twitter, featuring Zoomer Wojak pleading with Boomer Fed Wojak about artificial inflation, with Fed Wojak replying 'haha money printer go brrr'
The Origin of “Money Printer Go Brrr”
The meme’s origin can be traced back to a tweet by Twitter user @femalelandlords on March 9th, 2020. This tweet featured two Wojak characters: a Zoomer Wojak representing a concerned individual and a Boomer Wojak embodying the U.S. Federal Reserve.
In the image, the Zoomer Wojak, wearing an anarcho-capitalist bowtie, pleads with the Federal Reserve not to “artificially inflate the economy by creating money to fight an economic downturn.” The Boomer Fed Wojak dismissively replies with “haha money printer go brrrrr.”
This simple yet impactful image captured a sentiment of anxiety regarding the economic response to the looming downturn in early 2020, particularly the idea of increasing the money supply as a primary tool. The tweet quickly gained traction, amassing over 16,000 likes and 3,000 retweets within just over a week, signaling the meme’s resonance.
Spread and Variations of the Meme
Following its initial appearance on Twitter, “Money Printer Go Brrr” rapidly spread across various online platforms, evolving into different formats and variations.
On March 14th, 2020, a Redditor named AGoonAndAGopher shared a Political Compass meme on the /r/Destiny subreddit. This iteration featured different versions of the Zoomer Wojak in each quadrant of the political compass, all directed towards the central Federal Reserve Boomer Wojak, reinforcing the meme’s political and economic undertones.
Money Printer Go Brrr meme origin on Twitter, featuring Zoomer Wojak pleading with Boomer Fed Wojak about artificial inflation, with Fed Wojak replying 'haha money printer go brrr'
Two days later, on March 16th, another Redditor, maxc, posted a GIF on the /r/Anarcho_Capitalism subreddit. This GIF depicted a Pink Wojak frantically operating a money printing machine in an attempt to prevent a stock market crash. This GIF further popularized the visual representation of the “money printer” in action.
Money Printer Go Brrr meme origin on Twitter, featuring Zoomer Wojak pleading with Boomer Fed Wojak about artificial inflation, with Fed Wojak replying 'haha money printer go brrr'
The meme’s virality was further cemented with the creation of the website MoneyPrinterGoBrrr.com on March 17th, 2020, and a video titled “Money Printer Go Brrr” submitted to the /r/Jreg subreddit by user Wolf3500 on the same day. These developments showcased the rapid expansion and adoption of the meme within internet culture.
Why “Money Printer Go Brrr” Resonates
The enduring popularity of “Money Printer Go Brrr” stems from its ability to encapsulate complex economic anxieties in a humorous and easily digestible format. It taps into concerns about inflation, the devaluation of currency, and the potential long-term consequences of expansive monetary policy.
The meme’s simplicity allows it to be applied to various situations where central banks or governments are perceived to be resorting to increasing the money supply as a solution to economic problems. It serves as both a critique and a commentary, often used in online discussions about economic policy, investment strategies, and the broader financial landscape. Its widespread use highlights a collective awareness and, for some, skepticism regarding modern monetary policy tools.
