The awooga has long been shorthand in cartoons for a character losing composure at the sight of someone attractive, with its honking, exaggerated delivery making the joke work without dialogue. It travelled from animation into internet meme culture, where short reaction sounds are reused across edits, streams and short videos because they communicate a feeling instantly. Its brevity also helps: at around two seconds, it fits neatly before a punchline, a cut or a reaction shot, which is why creators keep returning to it for light, self-aware humour.