The term 'Johning' originated within the competitive Super Smash Bros. Melee community in the early 2000s in Crystal City, Texas. It is named after a local player named John who was notorious for offering a laundry list of excuses—ranging from 'the sun was in my eyes' to 'my controller is glitching'—whenever he lost a match. His peers eventually coined the phrase 'No Johns' to shut down his complaining, which has since evolved into a universal gaming verb for making any kind of excuse for poor performance. Today, 'Johning' is used across all esports and competitive circles to mock players who refuse to take responsibility for their defeat, serving as a staple of internet trash-talk and gaming culture.