r/whogetsit is a subreddit dedicated to posts—typically images, videos, or text—that contain niche references, inside jokes, or layered humor intended to be understood only by a specific subset of readers. The community's name is a rhetorical question posed by the poster ("who gets it?"), inviting viewers to demonstrate their recognition of the obscure topic. Similar in spirit to r/woooosh but focused on obscurity rather than missed sarcasm, the subreddit functions as a litmus test for shared cultural, academic, or subcultural knowledge.

1 Etymology and Origin

1.1 Creation and "Who Gets It?" Phrase

The subreddit was created in early 2019 by an anonymous user who wanted a space where posters could share content that required specialized knowledge to fully appreciate. The phrase "who gets it?" originates from internet forums and social media comments where users would ask whether others understood an obscure reference. The subreddit formalized this question into a community ethos, with the name r/whogetsit directly echoing the phrasing.

1.2 Relationship to r/woooosh and r/iamverysmart

r/whogetsit is often compared to r/woooosh (which highlights missed sarcasm or humor) and r/iamverysmart (which satirizes pretentious intellectualism). However, r/whogetsit differs by centering on *obscurity* rather than misunderstanding. While r/woooosh mocks the person who misses the joke, r/whogetsit rewards the person who recognizes it. Similarly, r/iamverysmart targets users who flaunt intelligence, whereas r/whogetsit values genuine insider knowledge without overt self-aggrandizement.

2 Subreddit Rules and Guidelines

2.1 Post Format Requirements

Posts must clearly present a reference or joke that is not universally obvious. Posters are encouraged to include minimal context—such as a single image or short text—so that the challenge lies in decoding the reference without external hints. Title tags like "[Obscure]" or "[Reference]" are sometimes used, but the subreddit generally discourages spoilers in titles. Comments that explain the reference are allowed, but only after a reasonable time (typically several hours or after a "spoil" tag is used).

2.2 "Gatekeeping" vs. "Sharing" Norms

The subreddit's core tension lies between gatekeeping—preserving the exclusivity of inside knowledge—and sharing—enabling newcomers to learn and participate. Official rules strike a middle ground: posts are not allowed that actively insult users who do not understand (e.g., "You wouldn't get it"), but references themselves are intentionally left unexplained. This balance aims to maintain a sense of community among those "in the know" while not outright alienating curious readers.

2.3 Moderation and Content Removal

Moderators remove posts that are too obscure to be meaningful (e.g., references known only to a single person) or too mainstream (e.g., popular movie quotes that virtually everyone would recognize). Duplicate references are also removed to keep content fresh. Violations of Reddit-wide policies—such as harassment or explicit material—are handled per site rules. The moderation team typically consists of a small group of active users who enforce these guidelines subjectively, often relying on community reports.

3 Types of Posts

3.1 Obscure Historical References

3.1.1 Ancient Memes and Pre-Internet Events

This category includes references to historical incidents, viral phenomena, or jokes that predate widespread internet culture. Examples include allusions to the "Dancing Plague of 1518," the "Great Emu War" (Australia, 1932), or early 20th-century novelty songs. Such posts require knowledge of specific historical trivia and often rely on the absurdity of the event itself.

3.1.2 Niche Academic Allusions

Posts in this subcategory draw from specialized fields such as mathematics, philosophy, linguistics, or quantum physics. For instance, a post might feature a diagram of a "Klein bottle" with an inside joke about three-dimensional limitations, or a quote from a little-known Wittgenstein paragraph. Understanding these posts typically requires at least undergraduate-level familiarity with the discipline.

3.2 Ultra-Specific Fandom Callbacks

3.2.1 Deep-Lore TV Shows and Films

These posts reference minor characters, one-off lines, or background details from long-running series like *The Simpsons*, *Doctor Who*, or *The Office*. For example, a screenshot of a background sign reading "Duff Beer" accompanied by a cryptic number might be a callback to a single episode's continuity gag. Only dedicated fans with encyclopedic memory can decode such references.

3.2.2 Obscure Video Game Easter Eggs

Video game posts often involve references to hidden secrets, unused assets, or developer in-jokes. Common examples include the "Myth" button in *The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall*, the "MissingNo." glitch from *Pokémon Red/Blue*, or the "Lemon of Troy" joke from *The Simpsons: Hit & Run*. These references are typically known only to players who have thoroughly explored the game's code or community lore.

3.3 Language and Translation Humor

These posts exploit ambiguities, puns, or false cognates across different languages. For example, a phrase that sounds innocent in English but has a vulgar meaning in Spanish, or a mistranslation from Japanese subtitles that creates an unintended humorous meaning. Understanding the joke requires bilingual proficiency or at least awareness of the specific linguistic trap.

3.4 "Breadcrumb" Chains (Multi-Step Punchlines)

A "breadcrumb" post presents a series of references that must be decoded in sequence to reach the final joke. Each layer might build on a previous one, and the punchline only becomes apparent after understanding all the intermediate steps. For instance, an image could show a screenshot of a forum comment referencing a meme about a TV show that itself parodies an old folk tale. These posts are rare but highly valued for their complexity.

4 Community Culture and Jargon

4.1 Common Reactions: "I get it" vs. "I'm lost"

The two most frequent comment types are "I get it" (often accompanied by a short confirmation or a related reference) and "I'm lost" (expressing confusion but sometimes asking for an explanation). The community tends to upvote "I get it" comments and downvote "I'm lost" ones if they are perceived as whining. However, polite requests for hints are generally tolerated, and users often provide incremental clues rather than full answers.

4.2 The "Gatekeeper" Debate

4.2.1 Arguments for Exclusivity

Proponents of exclusivity argue that the subreddit's value lies in its challenge. If every reference were easy to understand, the "litmus test" would lose its meaning. They believe that gatekeeping preserves a sense of cleverness and insider status, and that newcomers should earn their place by learning the references rather than having them handed out.

4.2.2 Counterarguments for Inclusivity

Opponents contend that excessive gatekeeping turns the subreddit into an echo chamber of smugness. They advocate for a more welcoming environment where explanations are provided freely, and point out that without new participants, the community will stagnate. Some users suggest a compromise: using spoiler tags for explanations while still rewarding those who "get it" without hints.

4.3 Meta-Humor and Parody of the Subreddit Itself

The community frequently posts meta-references that satirize its own norms. For example, a post might show a blank image with the text "If you get this, you're too deep in this subreddit," or a fake "who gets it?" about the subreddit's own inside jokes. These self-referential posts are often upvoted as a form of bonding, acknowledging the absurdity of the community's niche focus.

5 Reception and Influence

r/whogetsit experienced a surge in membership during the COVID-19 pandemic, as users sought niche entertainment from home. Viral posts have occasionally crossed over to mainstream platforms like Twitter or TikTok, where they are reposted as "only true fans will understand" content. However, the subreddit remains relatively small compared to its parent communities, with approximately 500,000 subscribers as of 2025.

5.2 Cross-Subreddit Referencing (e.g., r/OutOfTheLoop)

Posts from r/whogetsit are frequently cited on r/OutOfTheLoop, where users ask for explanations of the obscure references. This cross-referencing creates a feedback loop: a post may become too famous to remain inside the niche, at which point it is cross-posted for explanation. Some r/whogetsit users view this as a dilution of the subreddit's purpose, while others see it as a natural form of growth.

5.3 Legacy and Comparison to Other "Explain the Joke" Communities

r/whogetsit has influenced the creation of similar subreddits like r/ObscureLore and r/NicheHumor, which focus on specific genres (e.g., history-only or fandom-only references). Unlike r/ExplainAFilmPlotBadly or r/ExplainTheJoke, which aim to clarify humor for a general audience, r/whogetsit deliberately resists explanation. This stance has led to its characterization as a community that values the *experience* of recognition over the *dissemination* of information.