13 years since vine launched: Revisiting 5 iconic Vines from the now-defunct platform

Vine officially launched on January 24 2013, providing content that still dominates internet culture today.

On January 24, 2013, Vine revolutionized social media by introducing short, six-second looping videos, forever changing how content was created and consumed. Founded by Rus Yusupov, Dom Hofmann, and Colin Kroll in 2012, the platform was acquired by Twitter for $30 million before its official iOS app launch. Vine quickly became a cultural phenomenon, reaching over 200 million active users by 2015.

The app allowed users to share creative clips across platforms like Twitter and Facebook, and its looping videos sparked countless viral moments. Competing with platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, Vine became the birthplace of internet stars and unforgettable memes and phrases, such as “Eyebrows on fleek,” “Jared, 19,” and “Why The F**k you lyin'” among several others.

Despite its success, Twitter shut down Vine in January 2017, citing challenges in monetization and competition. While an archive briefly preserved its legacy, it was discontinued in 2019.

Nevertheless, as one internet user wisely said, "Vine walked so TikTok could run" and Vine's cultural impact endures, solidifying its legacy in shaping today’s digital content landscape. In hoonour of the now-dfunct platform, are five of the most iconic vines that are still widely referenced today.

1. Eyebrows on fleek

In 2014, 16-year-old Kayla Lewis coined the phrase "eyebrows on fleek" in a six-second Vine. The term quickly went viral, spreading from Black Twitter to mainstream culture, appearing in beauty articles and even Ariana Grande’s music. Soon, corporations like Denny’s and IHOP adopted the phrase to appear trendy, turning it into a marketing tool.

However, as the phrase gained popularity, its origins in Black culture—and Lewis’s contribution—were largely erased. While others profited socially and commercially, Lewis received no compensation. Now, she’s working to trademark the phrase and start her own cosmetics line to reclaim her creation.

 

2. Jared, 19

The "Jared, 19" Vine is a classic internet moment that gained popularity on the platform. In the video, a person humorously reads aloud a deliberately absurd sentence from what appears to be a fake ACT (standardized test) practice question. The dialogue goes like this:

"Hi, my name’s Jared, I’m 19, and I never f**ing learned how to read."*

This six-second clip perfectly encapsulated the kind of chaotic, random humor Vine was known for. Even years after Vine’s closure, the phrase "Jared, 19" remains a cultural reference and meme in internet communities.

 

3. Why the f**k you lyin'

In 2015, Nicholas Fraser’s Vine "Why The F**k You Lyin’" became a viral sensation. Parodying the 1997 R&B song "Too Close" by Next, Fraser humorously called out liars with catchy lyrics like, "Why the f**k you lyin’? Why you always lyin’?" The six-second clip quickly spread across Vine, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter, inspiring remixes, memes, and reaction images.

Major outlets like BuzzFeed and The Guardian highlighted its popularity, and a full-length version amassed over 23 million views on YouTube. The video remains a standout moment from Vine’s golden era, showcasing the platform's unique ability to create enduring internet culture.

 

4.Sausage rap

In early 2015, a high school student’s “Sausage Rap” went viral, sparking the now-famous #SausageMovement. The catchy chant, featuring lines like "Eggs, bacon, grits, sausage," quickly spread across social media, with users adding their own humorous twists. Originating on YouTube and Vine, the trend gained momentum after being shared on Reddit, eventually flooding platforms with creative variations.

The hashtag #SausageMovement trended on Twitter, with teens performing the rap at lunch tables and sharing videos of their renditions. What started as a simple joke became a cultural phenomenon, uniting social media in a wave of absurd, sausage-themed humor.

 

5. Road work ahead

The "Road Work Ahead" Vine is one of the most iconic videos from the Vine era, created by comedian Drew Gooden. In the six-second clip, Gooden drives past a road sign that says "Road Work Ahead" and sarcastically responds:

"Uh, yeah, I sure hope it does!"

The humor lies in the unexpected wordplay, turning a mundane road sign into a clever and hilarious pun. The Vine quickly went viral, becoming a favorite for its simplicity and absurdity. To this day, "Road work ahead? Yeah, I sure hope it does!" remains a popular meme and a nostalgic symbol of Vine’s comedic brilliance.