The witch is a hostile mob in Minecraft, a sandbox game developed by Mojang, first added in the game's 2012 Halloween-themed update. Witches live in swamp huts, throw harmful potions at players, and are recognised by their pointed hats, warts and distinctive cackle. Clips of that laugh spread through Minecraft gameplay videos and short-form edits, where creators reused it outside the game as a shorthand for mischief, scheming or a spooky joke. It remains popular because the sound is instantly recognisable to Minecraft players even without any visuals.