Pickle Rick comes from the Rick and Morty episode of the same name, first aired in 2017 during the show's third season. In it, Rick Sanchez deliberately turns himself into a pickle to avoid a family therapy session, then has to fight his way back home. The image and catchphrase spread far beyond the episode as stickers, merchandise and short clips, and the audio became a popular follow alert and notification sound because it is brief, loud and unmistakable even without the picture.