The whoopie cushion comes from the classic rubber novelty toy that makes a rude raspberry noise when someone sits on it. The gag became a staple of slapstick comedy, cartoons and schoolyard pranks, where the sound alone was enough to get a laugh without any explanation. Online, the short clip took on a second life as a soundboard effect for videos, streams and memes, used to puncture serious moments or embarrass a character. Its appeal has lasted because the joke is simple, universal and instantly understood.