The phrase comes from French president Emmanuel Macron speaking French, and it spread online as a short reaction sound because its literal meaning clashes so sharply with its sarcastic use. Shared across meme pages and video edits, it became shorthand for pretending to be surprised by something everyone saw coming. Its appeal has lasted because the joke does not depend on knowing the original speech, only on recognising that familiar tone of false innocence, which works in French and in translation for international audiences.