The 'Open for a Surprise' meme format originated as a clever way to exploit the image cropping algorithms on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit. By using a vertical aspect ratio, users could hide a punchline, a cute animal, or a subverted expectation at the top or bottom of an image, only visible once the viewer clicked to expand it. As a cultural phenomenon, it plays on the curiosity of the audience, often leading to wholesome content, Rickrolls, or ironic 'gotcha' moments. In template form, it usually features a character holding a gift or a door, serving as a versatile vessel for any unexpected reveal or community-specific inside joke.