The 'Negawatt' meme originated from a viral video clip where a man utters the word in a distinctively shocking and rhythmic manner, often interpreted as a play on words involving electrical units. It gained massive traction on platforms like TikTok and Twitter, where users paired the audio with various reaction images—most notably a low-quality or animated character looking stunned. The meme is typically used to represent a reaction to something absurd, an expensive utility bill, or a 'wait, what?' moment. Its popularity stems from the high-energy delivery of the line and its versatility as a punchline for unexpected situations.