The #GreySweatpantsChallenge first erupted on Twitter in late 2016, initially gaining momentum as a way for men to showcase their physique in form-fitting grey loungewear. While it started as a genuine social media 'thirst trap,' the internet quickly pivoted toward parody. Users began stuffing increasingly absurd objects—ranging from vacuum cleaners to Christmas trees—down their pants to mock the suggestive nature of the trend. This shift turned the challenge into a staple of absurdist comedy, where the goal is to surprise viewers with the most outrageous 'bulge' possible. The meme remains a classic example of how internet culture subverts serious vanity into collective humor.