The term 'Milkshake Duck' was coined by Australian cartoonist Ben Ward in a 2016 tweet describing a fictional viral duck who is quickly discovered to have a problematic past. It perfectly encapsulates the modern phenomenon where an overnight internet sensation is instantly 'canceled' after people dig through their social media history. The meme serves as a satirical commentary on the lifecycle of internet fame and the inevitable disappointment of parasocial relationships. Today, it is used broadly whenever a beloved figure or trend turns out to be unexpectedly controversial.