The phrase is French slang heard widely in Ivorian online humour, where poto means a close mate or buddy. Clips of short spoken rejections like this circulate as WhatsApp audios and reaction sounds, shared between friends for comic effect rather than as part of a film or song. Its popularity comes from the familiar everyday wording, which listeners understand instantly without context. It stays in use because it works in chats, short videos and edits whenever someone wants to shut down familiarity with a quick, recognisable line.