Air horns began as loud signalling devices for boats and large outdoor events, where their piercing blast could be heard over crowds and engines. They later became a staple at sports games, parties and celebrations, and DJs adopted the sound to hype up a crowd before a drop. Online, the short blast became a go-to meme effect for reactions, pranks and highlight clips because it is instantly recognisable and needs no explanation. Its simplicity keeps it popular across short-form video, streams and soundboards today.