The exact origin of this 'Chto eto bylo?' clip is not documented, as it comes from a user-generated soundboard with no credited source. Short Russian reaction phrases like this one circulate widely across meme pages, gaming chats and short-form video, where a bewildered 'what was that' works in any language. Its popularity comes from universality: confusion needs no translation, and the authentic tone makes it feel like a genuine reaction rather than a scripted line. That is why editors keep reaching for it whenever something strange, sudden or unexplainable happens on screen.