The Epic Handshake meme, also popularly known as the Predator Handshake, draws from a notable scene in the 1987 science fiction action film 'Predator.' In this scene, two muscular arms are captured in a firm handshake that resembles an arm wrestle, visually distinct due to the exaggerated veins and muscles, which exemplifies both the characters' strength and camaraderie. The format has evolved into an object-labelling template where each arm and the hands connecting are labeled to represent two parties agreeing strongly on a subject, emphasizing the intensity and mutual understanding or enthusiasm about the topic.
The origin of the Epic Handshake meme is traced back to a specific moment in the movie 'Predator' where Arnold Schwarzenegger's character, Dutch, greets his old friend Dillon, portrayed by Carl Weathers, with a vigorous handshake that morphs into an arm wrestling position, accompanied by the spirited greeting, "Dillon! You son of a bitch." This iconic scene was first parodied on August 25th, 2007, when YouTuber kreshjun uploaded a video titled "A tribute to the handshake in Predator", a live-action reenactment of the original handshake scene. This homage opened the doorway to a multitude of parodies and remixes, stabilizing the scene’s status as a versatile and universally recognizable meme format.[1]
Origin: 2007