In Soviet Russia…

Introducing a meme inspired by a comedian.

Yakov Smirnoff is a Ukrainian-born American comedian who became famous for contrasting life in ‘Soviet Russia’ with that of the USA. For example:

In America, you can always find a party.
In Soviet Russia, Party finds you!

In America, you watch television.
In Soviet Union, television watches you!

(all pronounced in a thick Russian accent, of course).

This simple comedic formula spawned a meme which started on technology website Slashdot.



Sometimes called ‘The Russian Reversal’, the basic idea is to take an accepted idea, and turn it on its head:

“In Soviet Russia, Waldo finds YOU!!”

“In Soviet Russia, remote controls YOU!”

Many of the ‘Russian Reversals’ are decidedly unfunny, but part of the humour of this meme is the simple stupidity of the phrases created.