Funky Kong is a laid-back, sunglasses-wearing member of the Donkey Kong family who became a playable racer in Mario Kart Wii, and his exaggerated scream comes from that game. Players and meme creators began lifting the shout from gameplay footage because it sounded far more dramatic than the situation on screen, turning it into a shorthand for comic panic. It spread through Mario Kart memes and reaction edits, and it remains popular because the character is instantly recognisable and the scream fits almost any sudden failure.