No clear original source is documented for berf, so its history is mostly in how it circulates online as a throwaway meme reaction. Short nonsense utterances like bruh and goofy ahh sounds spread because they fit almost any awkward pause, and berf follows the same pattern. Users repost the tiny clip on soundboards, drop it into edits without context, and use it as an in-joke reply where a real word would be too much. Its brevity keeps it reusable, since it never ties itself to one scene, character or trend.