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“#Ebowla” meme: meaning, origin and common card

#Ebowla is a satirical hashtag born on Twitter in October 2014.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
#Ebowla meme
The “#Ebowla” meme, 2014

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “#Ebowla” is a common card of the Memes World series 75, number 22228 of the collection, and the 88th 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 “#Ebowla” meme mean?

This meme expresses the perceived absurdity between the severity of a deadly epidemic and the banality of American leisure. It aims to ridicule the New York doctor whose movements triggered health panic in the US, mixing fear with dark irony.

Where does the “#Ebowla” meme come from?

The hashtag #Ebowla appears on Twitter in late October 2014, following the announcement that doctor Craig Spencer was infected with the Ebola virus. He had returned from Guinea where he treated patients with Doctors Without Borders, and had bowled in Williamsburg (Brooklyn) the day before his hospitalization. This news caused a media shock and a wave of cynical jokes on social networks. Actor Jason Biggs amplified the virality by tweeting a joke suggesting the doctor acted voluntarily to create puns. These posts received thousands of interactions quickly, turning the portmanteau into an instant reference despite criticism for lack of sensitivity regarding the disease.

How to use the “#Ebowla” meme

  • Use this hashtag to ironically comment on a situation where daily routine seems incongruous against a major threat.
  • Use it in conversation to highlight the perceived absurdity of decisions made by a person during a health crisis.
  • Refer to this term to discuss the limits of dark humor during tragedies or international epidemics.

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The “#Ebowla” card in MyMemeCards

#Ebowla card
NumberNo. 22228
RarityCommon
CollectionMemes World series 75
Fame60/100 · #88 of 300
Recycle value5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 75: 300 cards
  • Common21371%
  • Rare5418%
  • Epic3110%
  • Legendary20.7%

How to get the “#Ebowla” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; #Ebowla comes out of the Memes World series 75 as a common 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 5 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 “#Ebowla”

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Frequently asked questions

#Ebowla meaning?

It is a portmanteau combining Ebola and bowling, used to mock the movements of doctor Craig Spencer during the 2014 epidemic.

Who is Craig Spencer?

He is a New York doctor who worked in Guinea with Doctors Without Borders and tested positive for Ebola after going bowling in Brooklyn.

#Ebowla origin?

The hashtag emerges on Twitter in late October 2014 following revelations about the infected doctor's recreational activities before medical isolation.

Why is the Ebowla meme controversial?

It is criticized for mocking a deadly disease and a healthcare professional, deemed disrespectful by many during a period of collective fear.

How do I get the #Ebowla meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “#Ebowla” is a common card of the Memes World series 75. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the #Ebowla card?

It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: Ebowla · The #Ebowla Jokes Need to Stop - ebola - Time Magazine · NYC Ebola Doctor Who Trump Blasted 6 Years Ago Fires ... · checked on October 17, 2026.

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