AboutWhat does the meme depict?
The "In Soviet Russia" meme, also referred to as the Russian Reversal, utilizes a phrasal template that inverts the subject-object relationship in a sentence, typically for humorous effect. This reversal format became well-known through the stand-up routines of comedian Yakov Smirnoff during the late 1980s. The structure of these jokes is generally, "In America, you [action] [the object]; in Soviet Russia, [the object] [action] you!" The phrase has seen a resurgence in popularity on the internet, where it frequently appears in various ironic memes.
OriginWho did it first?
The earliest known instance of the joke structure used in the "In Soviet Russia" meme can be traced back to the 1938 musical by Cole Porter titled Leave It To Me! During one of the scenes, a messenger refuses a tip with the line, "No tipping, in Soviet Russia, messenger tips you." This early form of the joke can be examined further in a Time article.[1]
Origin: 1938