The sound is closely associated with Ed Bassmaster, the American prank comedian known for his YouTube prank videos and outlandish characters. His short 'pshh' became a recognisable catchphrase-style reaction, often used to dismiss someone or brush off a situation with comic timing. As short clips from his pranks were shared and reused online, the one-second hiss took on a life of its own as a standalone reaction sound. It remains popular because it is instantly recognisable, easy to drop into edits, and needs no context to land.