π¦
Crab
kræb
Definitions
1
Animal Β· Marine
Common
A crustacean with a hard shell and pincers. Used to represent literal crabs, seafood dishes, or the Cancer zodiac sign.
Often used in beach or ocean-related content, seafood discussions, or astrological contexts.
Beach day with the kids! Found so many little π¦ in the tide pools.
Instagram caption
Maryland-style π¦ cakes for dinner tonight! π½οΈ
Facebook post
Frequently associated with coastal regions known for crab fishing, particularly Maryland in the US.
2
Internet Culture Β· Meme
Common
Used in the 'Crab Rave' meme format to celebrate something disappearing or ending, often with the phrase 'X is gone!'
Popular in gaming communities and social media to mark the end of something disliked.
THE EXAM IS CANCELLED π¦π¦π¦
Discord message
That toxic player finally got banned π¦π¦ CRAB RAVE π¦π¦
Gaming forum
Originated from a 2018 animated music video by Noisestorm featuring dancing crabs, now a widespread internet meme.
3
Slang Β· Mood
Uncommon
Used to indicate someone being irritable, cranky, or 'crabby.' Can also represent feeling trapped or stuck in a situation.
Often used in casual conversations about mood or disposition.
Haven't had my coffee yet, feeling extra π¦ this morning.
Text message
Plays on the English idiom 'crabby' to describe someone in a bad mood.
Evolution Timeline
2018
The 'Crab Rave' music video by Noisestorm is released, featuring animated dancing crabs.
Electronic dance music video became viral on YouTube
2019
The 'Crab Rave' meme format with 'π¦ X is gone π¦' becomes widespread across gaming communities.
Gaming communities adopted the format to celebrate unpopular features being removed
2020
Crab emoji usage expands beyond the meme to become a general celebratory symbol for endings.
Mainstream social media adoption beyond gaming circles
Cultural Context
In Maryland, the blue crab is a cultural icon appearing on license plates, sports team merchandise, and as the state crustacean, symbolizing Chesapeake Bay heritage.
Crab emoji often appears in discussions of regional dishes like Maryland crab cakes, Singaporean chili crab, Japanese kani, and British dressed crab.
The 'Crab Rave' meme transformed the crab emoji from primarily representing an animal/food to a symbol of celebration when something negative ends.
The crab represents Cancer in the zodiac, associated with emotional sensitivity, nurturing, and protective qualities in Western astrology.
Regional Variations
Australia
Often refers to mud crabs or blue swimmer crabs popular in Australian coastal cuisine.
United Kingdom
Often refers to edible crabs or shore crabs found along British coastlines.
United States
Strongly associated with Maryland and Chesapeake Bay culture, where blue crabs are a cultural icon and culinary staple.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Predominantly used literally for seafood, beach references, and occasionally zodiac content on Facebook and Instagram.
Gen_Z: Primarily used for the 'Crab Rave' meme format on TikTok, Discord, and gaming platforms to celebrate endings of disliked things.
Older: Mostly used to represent actual crabs, beach visits, or seafood meals in family-oriented communications.
Millennials: Used for both food posts (especially seafood boils) and the 'Crab Rave' meme, with some zodiac references on Instagram and Twitter.
Common Combinations
π¦πͺ
Preparing crab for cooking or eating seafood.
Used in cooking contexts, particularly when sharing seafood recipes or restaurant experiences.
π¦π§
Buttered crab or crab with melted butter for dipping.
Common in American seafood culture, particularly for Maryland blue crabs or Alaskan king crab legs.
π¦β
The Cancer zodiac sign, represented by the crab.
Used in astrological discussions, horoscopes, or to indicate someone's zodiac sign.
π¦π¦π¦
Reference to the 'Crab Rave' meme, celebrating something ending or disappearing.
Internet meme culture derived from Noisestorm's music video, popular in gaming communities.
ποΈπ¦
Beach day, tide pools, or coastal experiences involving crabs.
Used in vacation posts or family outings to the beach.