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“Manspreading” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

Manspreading refers to men sitting with legs wide apart on public transit, taking up two seats.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
Manspreading meme
The “Manspreading” meme, 2013

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Manspreading” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71, number 21249 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 “Manspreading” meme mean?

The meme critiques social inconsideration and the entitlement often associated with male body language in shared spaces. It highlights how some individuals prioritize personal comfort over collective etiquette, ignoring those squeezed beside them. The sentiment combines frustration at this blatant disregard for others with mockery towards those who claim more space than necessary without justification.

Where does the “Manspreading” meme come from?

The documented origin traces back to May 8, 2013, with the launch of the Tumblr blog « Men Taking Up Too Much Space on the Train ». It featured photographs of men sitting with legs spread in the New York City subway, sometimes infringing on adjacent seats. Although the word appeared sporadically as early as 2008 in local media or online, the blog catalyzed the global conversation. Visibility surged through social networks, culminating in a campaign by the New York Transit Authority (MTA) urging riders not to « spread » their legs, thereby institutionalizing the critique.

  1. 2008The term appears sporadically in local press and online before gaining widespread traction.
  2. May 8, 2013Launch of the Tumblr blog « Men Taking Up Too Much Space on the Train » documenting the phenomenon.

How to use the “Manspreading” meme

  • Share a blurred photo of a man occupying three subway seats to highlight daily commuting frustrations.
  • Use the #manspreading tag to publicly call out disrespectful behavior observed during your daily commute.
  • Apply the term ironically to describe anyone taking up excessive space in any social setting beyond necessity.

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The “Manspreading” card in MyMemeCards

Manspreading card
NumberNo. 21249
RarityRare
CollectionMemes World series 71
Fame71/100 · #210 of 300
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 71: 300 cards
  • Rare300100%

How to get the “Manspreading” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Manspreading 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

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Frequently asked questions

What does manspreading mean?

It refers to men sitting with legs wide apart on public transport, occupying multiple seats unnecessarily.

Manspreading origin?

The term was popularized by a Tumblr blog launched in May 2013 featuring photos from the New York subway.

Who invented the word manspreading?

The word existed since 2008, but the anonymous Tumblr blogger turned it into a global viral movement.

Did the MTA ban manspreading?

The New York transit authority launched a awareness campaign asking riders to reduce their spatial footprint.

How do I get the Manspreading meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Manspreading” 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 Manspreading card?

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

Sources: meme.com · memes · manspreadingManspreading Meme: Origin, MTA Campaign & Viral History · Manspreading | Know Your Meme · ‘Manspreading’: el año que se juzgó a los hombres que se abren de piernas · checked on October 13, 2026.

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