The 'Tree Fiddy' meme originates from the Season 3 episode of South Park titled 'The Succubus,' which first aired in 1999. In the episode, Chef’s parents recount various encounters with the Loch Ness Monster, who consistently disguises itself in an attempt to trick them out of 'tree fiddy' ($3.50). The phrase became a staple of internet culture, often used as a bait-and-switch punchline for long, elaborate stories that suddenly turn into the Loch Ness Monster asking for money. It is widely used on platforms like Reddit and 4chan to troll readers who have invested time into reading a detailed narrative only to be met with the iconic, nonsensical demand.