Vibe Check originated as a slang term on Tumblr as early as 2012, but it transformed into a surrealist meme in 2019. It typically features a 'cursed' emoji or a character extending a hand toward the viewer, suggesting a sudden and often violent assessment of their energy. The phrase moved from a sincere inquiry about one's well-being to a chaotic internet trope used to denote physical comedy or a social 'reset.' Today, it remains a popular way to react to strange posts or to jokingly threaten someone with a vibe inspection across TikTok, Twitter, and Reddit.