The term “Becky” has become a popular meme and slang term, often used to refer to a stereotypical white girl or woman. So what does it mean when a girl “gives you Becky” or “gives you a Becky”? There are a few potential meanings:
It could be a playful joke or teasing: If a girl jokingly acts ditzy, naive or fits other Becky stereotypes, she might say she’s “giving you a Becky” as a form of teasing or mocking herself. It’s basically leaning into the stereotype for humor.
It could mean she’s being cold/distant: A Becky is sometimes associated with being standoffish, self-centered or uncaring. So if a girl is acting distant or ignoring you, she may say she’s “giving you a Becky” to imply she’s being cold.
It could be a warning sign: If a girl suddenly starts acting very Becky-like, such as being short with you, only caring about herself, etc., she might say she’s “giving you a Becky.” This could be a sign your relationship is having problems.
It could signal she views you negatively: If a girl associates Becky characteristics with being mean, basic or rude, saying she’s giving you a Becky could be an insult. It implies she thinks you’re being that way.
It could mean she feels you’ve wronged her: A Becky can be associated with acting out against someone who’s upset them. So if a girl feels you’ve done her wrong, giving you a Becky could be her way of acting out passive-aggressively.
Where did the Becky meme come from?
The “Becky” meme has origins in African American culture in the early 2000s. It started as a stereotype for a self-centered, demanding, and entitled white woman.
Beyonce’s Song “Sorry”
The Becky stereotype was popularized by Beyonce in her 2016 song “Sorry.” She sings “He better call Becky with the good hair” implying her husband Jay Z cheated with a white woman fitting the Becky stereotype.
Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back”
An earlier predecessor was Sir Mix-a-Lot’s 1992 song “Baby Got Back” which referenced a “Becky” as a contrast to women with curves: “Oh my god, Becky, look at her butt.”
Black Twitter
On Black Twitter in the 2010s, Becky became shorthand for a self-entitled white woman embodying white privilege, one who demands to speak with managers and calls the police on black people for minor issues.
Becky Stereotype & Characteristics
So what makes someone a Becky? Here are some common stereotypical characteristics associated with the Becky meme:
- White, typically blonde hair
- Materialistic, obsessed with brands and status
- Vapid, not very intelligent
- Rude, entitled, demanding
- Racist or racially insensitive
- Ditzy, naive, gullible
- Obsessed with Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Ugg boots, other “basic” trends
- College-aged sorority girl
- Loves Starbucks, taking selfies, saying “Omigod”
- Privaleged upbringing, “mean girl” vibe
Of course, these are huge generalizations and stereotypes – not all white women fit this caricature. But “Becky” has become a cultural shorthand.
Key Examples of “Becky” Stereotypes in Memes
Here are some of the most well-known memes showing Becky stereotypes:
Can I Speak to the Manager? Becky
This meme portrays a Becky demanding to speak to the manager over a minor issue. It mocks her sense of white privilege and entitlement.
Actually, It’s Becky Becky
This meme pokes fun at Beckys who insist their name isn’t the boring “Becky” but some unique variant spelling like “Bekky” or “Beckee.”
Calling the Cops Becky
This meme represents the Becky who frivolously calls the police on black people for minor non-crimes out of racism/prejudice.
Look at This Graph Becky
This meme makes fun of ditzy Beckys, showing one who is ridiculously impressed by a meaningless graph.
Becky vs. Karen – What’s the Difference?
Becky and Karen memes overlap a lot as both make fun of privileged white women. But there are some differences:
| Becky | Karen |
|---|---|
| Younger white woman/girl | Older white woman |
| Ditzy, gullible | Entitled, demanding |
| Vapid, basic | Racist, prejudice |
| Sorority girl | Soccer mom |
| Loves selfies, lattes | Wants to speak to manager |
So in summary, Becky is used for silly/airheaded behavior while Karen calls out more extreme racism and privilege. But both make fun of whiteness.
Criticism of the Becky Stereotype
While meant to call out problematic behavior, some argue the Becky meme goes too far with stereotyping and sexism:
- Presents all young white women as dumb, racist, entitled
- Dehumanizes women into a dismissive caricature
- Reinforces gender and racial generalizations
- Distracts from addressing systemic issues
- Can be slut-shamey (e.g. jokes about “asking for the manager”)
Essentially, critics point out that no race or gender can be reduced down to a simple stereotype. Not all white women act like “Beckys” and not all people of color face conflicts with “Beckys.” Life is more complex than a meme. The meme can spread harmful blanket generalizations.
Conclusion
In the end, the “Becky” meme reveals some of the current cultural perceptions and resentments around young, privileged white women. It calls out racism and entitlement in a hyperbolic way through satire and caricature.
However, the meme also perpetuates reductive stereotypes about women and whiteness. Becky is not a fully accurate or fair representation of any person or group. But she does encapsulate the ongoing cultural clashes around white femininity, privilege, racism and sexism through her viral meme status. She represents the current zeitgeist’s views on middle to upper-class white female privilege.