KEKW

KEKW is a popular Twitch emote used to express laughter, amusement, or extreme hilarity. It depicts the Spanish comedian Juan Joya Borja (commonly known as "El Risitas") laughing hysterically. The emote is often used when something exceptionally funny or ridiculous happens on stream, or when a streamer makes a particularly bad joke or fails in a humorous way. It signifies a level of laughter beyond a simple "LOL" or "LUL."

History

The KEKW emote originates from a Finnish livestreamer, jonttu321, who used the image as an emote on his channel. It quickly spread to other channels and became a global Twitch phenomenon. The image itself is taken from a Spanish television interview with Juan Joya Borja where he recounts a humorous anecdote. The interview, which originally aired in 2002, gained viral popularity online over the years, with various edits and remixes being created. The specific clip used for the KEKW emote captures Borja in a fit of laughter, making it a perfect representation of extreme amusement.

The term "KEK" itself predates the emote and is internet slang derived from the World of Warcraft online game. It's an onomatopoeia for laughter, similar to "LOL," and is often associated with orcish laughter in the game's lore. The "W" at the end of KEKW is often interpreted as representing "Wide," further emphasizing the wide, exaggerated nature of Borja's laughter in the emote. The combination of the already established "KEK" with the image of Borja's infectious laughter created a highly popular and expressive emote.

Usage

KEKW is used in a variety of contexts on Twitch. It can be a reaction to a funny joke, a surprising event, or a streamer's misfortune. It's often used ironically as well, such as when a streamer's attempt at something spectacular fails hilariously. The emote's widespread use has made it a staple of Twitch chat culture, and it's readily understood by most viewers. Its popularity has transcended language barriers, as the visual nature of the emote makes its meaning clear regardless of the viewer's native language.