The Flyers mascot meme refers to a viral internet phenomenon involving the Philadelphia Flyers' mascot, Gritty. Gritty is a large, furry, orange creature with googly eyes who has become known for his energetic and playful personality. The meme began in September 2018 when the Flyers introduced Gritty as their new mascot. Almost immediately, fans and internet users found Gritty's appearance to be quite humorous and quickly started creating memes and captions to go along with pictures of the mascot. Gritty's unique and sometimes bizarre facial expressions and antics quickly made him a popular subject for memes on various social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit. Many fans and internet users took to creating their own versions of Gritty memes, often pairing his image with captions that were humorous, sarcastic, or satirical.
Many fans and internet users took to creating their own versions of Gritty memes, often pairing his image with captions that were humorous, sarcastic, or satirical. The popularity of the Flyers mascot meme continued to grow as more and more fans and internet users shared their own creations, and it soon became a widespread internet trend. The meme has been used to comically and creatively express various ideas and opinions, often in a relatable and humorous way.
Cotton Mather and the Preternatural
Boston minister Cotton Mather (1663-1728) may have used preternature more than any other early modern writer in the British Atlantic world. Mather employed the term preternatural frequently in his description of the events at Salem which he published in his massive treatise Magnalia Christi Americana in 1702. In fact, he wrote “preternatural” six times in a single page of text. The above image contains five uses of the term within two paragraphs.
He noted that the troubles in Salem began with people afflicted with “Preternatural Vexations upon their Bodies, and a variety of cruel Torments, which were evidently inflicted from the Dæmons, of the Invisible World.” Mather explained the distinction between natural and preternatural in his discussion of how the afflicted were bewitched. He wrote:
“it was found, that various kinds of natural Actions, done by many of the accused in or to their own Bodies, as Leaning, Bending, Turning Awry, or Squeezing their Hands, or the like, were presently attended with the like things preternaturally done upon the Bodies of the afflicted, though they were so far asunder, that the afflicted could not at all observe the accused.“
-Cotton Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana, Book II, p. 60.
He used preternatural in this treatise to mean something that was extraordinary and beyond the powers of nature, caused by invisible forces, and associated with diabolic witchcraft. Mather addressed the skeptics of such “odd Phænomena” by instructing them that there were “Hundreds of the most sober People” who had witnessed these events. Mather’s works show how the preternatural could function as both a category of thought and a set of interrelated beliefs about how the invisible world operated, and he made significant contributions to the transatlantic debate over preternature from his home in New England.
Having authored approximately 450 books and a quite a number of pamphlets, Cotton Mather became one of influential religious leaders in America during his time.
In addition to being a popular subject for memes, Gritty himself has embraced the meme culture and has actively participated in the creation and distribution of meme-worthy content. The Flyers organization has frequently posted photos and videos of Gritty on their social media platforms, often captioned with humorous and meme-worthy phrases. The Flyers mascot meme has not only brought a sense of fun and humor to the world of hockey and sports but has also contributed to the wider internet culture. It is an example of how a simple image or idea can quickly spread and become a viral sensation. The meme serves as a testament to the creative and humorous nature of internet users and their ability to transform a seemingly ordinary mascot into a beloved and memeworthy character..
Reviews for "Unraveling the origins of the Flyers mascot meme"
1. Sarah - 1 star - As a long-time Flyers fan, I was incredibly disappointed when the Flyers introduced their new mascot, which quickly became a meme. I can't understand why they decided to create such a bizarre and unappealing character to represent our team. It feels like a cheap attempt to gain attention on social media, rather than a thoughtful and meaningful mascot choice. The memes that have circulated only further highlight the mockery and embarrassment this mascot brings to our beloved team. I hope the Flyers management takes this as a lesson and reconsiders their mascot choice.
2. John - 2 stars - The Flyers mascot meme is just another example of how the sports world is becoming more interested in viral fame rather than the game itself. While I understand the importance of engaging with fans on social media, creating a ridiculous mascot like this takes away from the seriousness of the sport. It may generate some attention online, but it's not doing justice to the rich history and tradition of the Flyers. I would much rather see the team focus on their performance on the ice, rather than wasting time and resources on a mascot that is nothing more than a meme.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars - While I appreciate the Flyers' attempt to connect with younger fans through social media, the mascot meme just misses the mark for me. The Flyers are a respected team with a strong fan base, and I feel like this mascot undermines that reputation. It seems like a desperate ploy to go viral and gain attention, rather than a genuine effort to engage with fans. I hope the team reevaluates their approach and chooses a mascot that represents the Flyers' values and history more appropriately.