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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Boaty McBoatface” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71, number 21265 of the collection, and the 210th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Boaty McBoatface” meme mean?
This meme highlights the joy of seeing ordinary people subvert serious processes with absurdity. It represents the power of online communities to impose their own logic on authorities. The prevailing emotion is shared amusement and surprise at the unpredictable yet valid outcome of popular voting.
Where does the “Boaty McBoatface” meme come from?
The phenomenon began on March 17, 2016, through the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The agency launched a public consultation to name a new polar research vessel. James Hand, a BBC Radio Jersey presenter, submitted “Boaty McBoatface” on the dedicated website. The proposal spread rapidly across social media due to its comedic structure combining a diminutive with a silly suffix. Voting ended on April 16, 2016, with over 120,000 votes. Although NERC named the main ship after Sir David Attenborough, it yielded to public pressure by assigning the humorous title to a submersible vehicle.
- 17 March 2016Launch of the naming contest by NERC on its official website.
- 16 April 2016End of voting with the massive victory of the humorous proposal.
How to use the “Boaty McBoatface” meme
- Use this phrase to describe a popular choice that seems ridiculous but irresistible.
- Employ the term to depict a situation where the public hijacks an official contest with humor.
- Use it as a metaphor for an unpredictable and funny collective decision.
Also searched as
- McBoatfacing
- RRS Sir David Attenborough
- boaty mcboatface meaning
- boaty mcboatface origin
- what does boaty mcboatface mean
- who is james hand
The “Boaty McBoatface” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 21265 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Rare |
| Collection | Memes World series 71 |
| Fame | 71/100 · #210 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Boaty McBoatface” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Boaty McBoatface comes out of the Memes World series 71 as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Boaty McBoatface”
More cards of the Memes World series 71
Frequently asked questions
What does boaty mcboatface mean?
It refers to the name chosen by the internet for a British research vessel in 2016. The public voted massively for this humorous title during an official contest.
Boaty mcboatface origin?
The suggestion came from James Hand, a radio presenter, submitted on the NERC website in March 2016. It went viral on social media before the vote.
Who is james hand boaty mcboatface?
James Hand is the BBC Radio Jersey presenter who originated the suggestion. He submitted the name via the British government's public consultation platform.
How do I get the Boaty McBoatface meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Boaty McBoatface” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Boaty McBoatface card?
It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: The Hilarious Story Of Boaty McBoatface - Grunge · Boaty McBoatface: The Joke Name That Won a UK Poll · Boaty McBoatface Wins Poll to Name £200M Research Ship — And Why It Changed Science Communication Forever · checked on October 13, 2026.
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Want Boaty McBoatface in your collection?
Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.