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“Eternal September” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

Eternal September refers to the massive influx of beginners overwhelming an online community’s established norms.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
Eternal September meme
The “Eternal September” meme, 1993

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Eternal September” is a rare card of the Memes World series 72, number 21315 of the collection, and the 1st 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 “Eternal September” meme mean?

This concept captures the frustration of long-time members facing a continuous stream of newcomers who ignore unwritten rules. It highlights the loss of specific internal culture when a platform grows too rapidly. The prevailing emotion is one of saturation or perceived decline in exchange quality.

Where does the “Eternal September” meme come from?

In September 1993, America Online (AOL) integrated Usenet access for its subscribers, triggering a massive wave of novice users. Previously, students arrived mainly in September and learned netiquette. With AOL, this influx became permanent, creating an 'eternal September'. The first known written mention dates to January 26, 1994, in alt.folklore.computers, attributed to Dave Fischer. Some also cite John William Chambless in February 1994. This phrase marks the shift from a restricted network to a saturated public space.

  1. September 1993AOL opens Usenet access to subscribers, triggering the massive influx.
  2. January 1994Dave Fischer publishes the first known occurrence of the phrase in alt.folklore.computers.

How to use the “Eternal September” meme

  • Use this term to criticize the arrival of trolls in a specialized technical forum.
  • Employ it to describe the evolution of a once-calm Discord server now chaotic.
  • Use it to explain why a niche community loses its identity after sudden popularity.

Also searched as

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  • The eternal september
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  • aol usenet 1993

The “Eternal September” card in MyMemeCards

Eternal September card
NumberNo. 21315
RarityRare
CollectionMemes World series 72
Fame70/100 · #1 of 300
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 72: 300 cards
  • Rare300100%

How to get the “Eternal September” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Eternal September comes out of the Memes World series 72 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 “Eternal September”

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Frequently asked questions

What does eternal september mean?

It refers to a historical phenomenon where a massive influx of new users permanently changed Usenet's dynamics. Today, it describes any community overwhelmed by inexperienced users.

Eternal september origin?

The term comes from AOL opening Usenet service in 1993. This continuous influx replaced traditional student arrival cycles with a permanent state of saturation.

Who coined eternal september?

The first known mention is attributed to Dave Fischer in January 1994. Another source cites John William Chambless in February 1994, though this attribution is debated.

Eternal september definition?

It denotes the perceived degradation of community standards due to the continuous arrival of novices. It is a metaphor for cultural dilution in online spaces.

How do I get the Eternal September meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Eternal September” is a rare card of the Memes World series 72. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Eternal September card?

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

Sources: Eternal September - Wikipedia · Eternal September Meme Explained: Usenet, AOL & Newbies · AOL · checked on October 13, 2026.

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