The 'Tenso' meme is a classic internet format originating from Brazil, specifically the humor site O Mediocre in 2008. It revolves around the discovery of a bizarre or distressed face in the background of a seemingly normal photograph, followed by a series of dramatic zoom-in panels. Each panel heightens the awkwardness until the final close-up is labeled with the word 'TENSO' (Portuguese for 'tense'). This format became a staple of early meme culture for its ability to turn subtle background details into the star of the show. Today, it remains a go-to template for highlighting uncomfortable social situations, creepy background characters, or unexpected facial expressions that capture a feeling of pure, unadulterated tension.