Everything to Know About 'What Are Those?': Meaning, Creator, and Lasting Pop Culture Impact
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
The meme origin story did not start in a production room or an influencer incubator. It took place on a pavement in Berkeley, California. Moore was watching local police officers process his friend's arrest when he spotted the arresting officer's footwear: standard-issue, utilitarian leather safety boots lacking brand insignia or athletic pedigree.
Moore walked up, dropped his camera low, and asked the officer for the time. As the officer raised his wrist, Moore whipped the camera down to the shoes and barked the iconic line. The vocal delivery carried an irresistible rhythmic bounce. Moore did not merely speak the phrase; he shouted it with a rising cadence that demanded immediate attention.
Within forty-eight hours, the video racked up tens of millions of loops on Vine. Users downloaded the audio snippet, splicing it over every possible object that failed aesthetic muster: orthotic sandals, battered office chairs, unfashionable vehicles, and historical statues. What began as an improvised street joke had turned into an inescapable conversational reflex.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
