| Everyone has had to endure, at least once in their | | | | "platypus", yet there are no clear indicators as to |
| lives, memorable moments that would rather be | | | | how the idea of awkward moments was |
| forgotten: the embarrassing ones that | | | | incorporated with this hand movement. |
| oh-so-conveniently place you in uncomfortable social | | | | Many trace the rapid spread of the awkward turtle |
| positions. There are those times when one is forced | | | | to The website, which defines itself as a dictionary |
| to listen to another divulge and detail rather disturbing | | | | for slang and allows users to post their own |
| tidbits about themselves, unexpectedly encounters | | | | definitions and pop-culture terms, first posted a |
| an ex-friend or significant other, or is perhaps even | | | | definition for the word on September 6, 2005 – |
| caught talking about someone behind their back by | | | | thus officially documenting the revered existence of |
| the usually miffed subject of the conversation. In | | | | "the animal mascot of the awkward moment". |
| years past, these moments would most likely merely | | | | The awkward turtle's dramatic impact on society is |
| be classified as "embarrassing", "humiliating" and | | | | not only underestimated, but often unrealized as well. |
| occasionally "mortifying". While these adjectives may | | | | It has caused the revolutionary births of hundreds of |
| certainly apply to a wide variety of similar situations | | | | other "awkward" objects and creatures including the |
| today, there is a concept (and motion to go along | | | | awkward balloon, the awkward whale, the awkward |
| with it) that many of younger generations currently | | | | palm tree and the awkward kitten. More importantly, |
| apply more often – the awkward turtle. | | | | however, it has affected the way modern youth |
| The awkward turtle is a hand motion used after | | | | interact with each other and how they view daily |
| bearing witness to an awkward moment. Both hands | | | | occurrences. The awkward turtle sprouted a |
| are placed on top of one another, thumbs jut out | | | | nationwide obsession with everything awkward. This, |
| from each side and are rotated in a circular and | | | | in turn, broadened America's sense of humor and |
| usually counterclockwise direction. This reverse | | | | created a plethora of internet sensations – for |
| direction of the "flippers" classifies the sea turtle as | | | | instance, the new and wildly popular encourages |
| being an awkward one. | | | | many to post their often-hilarious awkward situations |
| This simple bodily movement has become universally | | | | for millions to see. The awkward turtle proves that |
| known in recent years, particularly in the United | | | | something unexpected and seemingly insignificant can |
| States. Both the origin of the awkward turtle and | | | | make an unbelievable impact. None could have |
| how this phenomenon took over the world are | | | | predicted that a mere sea turtle, washed up on the |
| unclear. It may have originated from a nearly-identical | | | | shores of society, would be holding a chunk of the |
| motion in American Sign Language that means | | | | future. |