The 'A Secret Third Thing' meme originated from a viral tweet in late 2022 which humorously suggested that beyond two standard ways of being, there exists a 'secret third thing'—originally referencing mental health. The phrase quickly transformed into a versatile framework for rejecting false binaries and embracing the absurd or niche aspects of identity. It is widely used to describe situations where conventional choices are insufficient, allowing users to highlight a more relatable, often chaotic, third option. The meme resonates deeply with internet subcultures that value irony and the celebration of non-traditional lifestyles.