The exact origin of this short reaction is not clearly documented, but its appeal is easy to understand: an elongated yes is a universal signal of agreement, relief and triumph, and the drawn-out spelling makes it instantly recognisable in text and in search. Online, it circulates as a reaction clip for memes, edits and short videos, where it is dropped over wins, reveals and satisfying moments to give the viewer an audible cue that something good has just happened. Its simplicity is why it keeps being reused.