The 'Defensively Heterosexual John Watson' meme originates from the BBC series Sherlock, specifically focusing on the character's frequent and increasingly frantic assertions that he and Sherlock Holmes are not a romantic couple. Within the 'Johnlock' shipping community and the broader 'SuperWhoLock' fandom on Tumblr, these moments became a recurring joke, highlighting the tension between John's verbal denials and the duo's deep emotional bond. The meme is typically used to represent someone trying too hard to prove they aren't interested in something, or to poke fun at the 'queerbaiting' tropes often discussed in television analysis. Users often pair screenshots of John’s exasperated face with captions that mock over-the-top heteronormativity or relate to relatable moments of social awkwardness.