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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “I Believe You Have My Stapler” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71, number 21260 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 “I Believe You Have My Stapler” meme mean?
The phrase captures the essence of silent frustration against injustice or administrative contempt. Milton, marginalized and ignored, uses this courteous formulation to denounce the theft of his red stapler. Online, it serves as a humorous retort to highlight absurd bureaucratic situations, daily petty injustices, or the loss of essential work tools due to hierarchical negligence.
Where does the “I Believe You Have My Stapler” meme come from?
The expression comes from the satirical film Office Space, directed by Mike Judge and released in the United States on February 19, 1999. In the relevant scene, Bill Lumbergh, Milton Waddams' superior, announces Milton's transfer to the basement while appropriating his prized red Swingline stapler. Milton, played by Stephen Root, delivers this line with a calm and terrifying tone. The meme gained traction on YTMND around 2004, where a dedicated page achieved great success. A definition also appeared on Urban Dictionary on June 18, 2004. Massive dissemination relied on image macros and video remixes that immortalized the character.
- 1999Release of the film Office Space in the US, featuring the iconic scene.
- 2004Publication of a dedicated YTMND page for the quote, marking its entry into web culture.
How to use the “I Believe You Have My Stapler” meme
- Quote the line when someone borrows an item without asking and does not return it.
- Use Milton's image to comment on an absurd or unjust administrative situation.
- Respond humorously to a colleague who takes your spot or resources at the office.
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The “I Believe You Have My Stapler” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 21260 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Rare |
| Collection | Memes World series 71 |
| Fame | 71/100 · #210 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny) |
How to get the “I Believe You Have My Stapler” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; I Believe You Have My Stapler 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 “I Believe You Have My Stapler”
More cards of the Memes World series 71
Frequently asked questions
Who is milton waddams office space?
Milton Waddams is a secondary character in the film Office Space, played by Stephen Root. A modest and ignored employee, he became famous thanks to his quest for his red stapler and his quiet threat towards his superiors.
What does i believe you have my stapler mean?
This phrase symbolizes a polite but firm protest against injustice or theft. It is used to denounce power abuses or neglects in a professional context, often with irony.
Where does the phrase i believe you have my stapler come from?
The quote is taken from the movie Office Space (1999) by Mike Judge. It is spoken by Milton Waddams to his superior Bill Lumbergh during a scene that has become an emblem of workplace satire.
How do I get the I Believe You Have My Stapler meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “I Believe You Have My Stapler” 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 I Believe You Have My Stapler card?
It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: I Believe You Have My Stapler: Milton's Office Space Meme · I Believe You Have My Stapler | Know Your Meme · Office Space | Know Your Meme · checked on October 13, 2026.
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