The 'Keep a Little Dirt Under My Pillow for The Dirt Man' meme originated from a catchy, absurdist folk-pop song by musician Carter Vail in early 2024. The lyrics describe a peculiar ritual of hiding soil beneath one's pillow to appease a mysterious figure known as 'The Dirt Man.' The song quickly went viral on TikTok and Instagram, where users began pairing the audio with videos of themselves nervously checking their pillows or performing chores to avoid the Dirt Man’s wrath. It has since evolved into a versatile template for anything involving strange rituals, irrational fears, or simply the chaotic humor of modern internet culture.