
Watch the ref
Nobody has added this meme's ref yet. Got the original video or post?
In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Petty” is a common card of the Memes World series 74, number 21965 of the collection, and the 227th 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 “Petty” meme mean?
This format captures the emotion of poetic justice or a minor settlement where one triumphs quietly. It expresses the cold joy of winning an insignificant argument or provoking someone elegantly. Users share this image to show they fully embrace their calculating side or their pleasure at seeing others fail on trivial details, validating a deliberately provocative but stylish attitude.
Where does the “Petty” meme come from?
The English word "petty" usually describes something mean or focused on trivial details. In February 2016, the Twitter account Meninist posted a photo of Kobe Bryant with a satisfied smile, captioned about winning an argument until his partner cried. This post garnered over 3,500 retweets. The image spread rapidly on Black People Twitter, adopted by other reactive faces like Skai Jackson. For her, the source dates back to April 4, 2016, while waiting in the Fox green room before the show Good Day New York. The movement was analyzed as a form of verbal and visual resistance from Black traditions, formalizing an aesthetic of assumed pettiness on the social platform.
- 2016Initial posting of Kobe Bryant's image by Meninist on February 16, popularizing the concept.
- April 2016Mass adoption of the format via alternative images like Skai Jackson's (April 4) on Black People Twitter.
How to use the “Petty” meme
- Share a photo of discreet celebration after winning an online debate about a trivial subject.
- Comment under a post showing someone getting what they deserve for past bad actions.
- Accompany a personal story about how you subtly avenged a minor offense received previously.
Also searched as
- Petty Kobe
- Petty smile
- That petty look
- petty meme meaning
- petty meme origin
- kobe bryant petty meme date
- skai jackson petty meme green room
- black twitter petty aesthetic 2016
- meninist twitter kobe tweet
The “Petty” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 21965 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Common |
| Collection | Memes World series 74 |
| Fame | 58/100 · #227 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Petty” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Petty comes out of the Memes World series 74 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 “Petty”
More cards of the Memes World series 74
Frequently asked questions
What is the Petty meme?
It is a viral format showing a smug or satisfied smirk, used to illustrate a subtle victory or minor revenge.
Where does the Petty meme come from?
The expression comes from Black Twitter in 2016, which repurposed the common English adjective to create a specific category of reaction memes.
Who is the man in the Petty Kobe meme?
It is basketball player Kobe Bryant, whose smiling photo was posted by the Meninist account in February 2016.
How do I get the Petty meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Petty” is a common card of the Memes World series 74. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Petty card?
It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Petty | Know Your Meme · The Power of 'Petty': How One Small Word Came to Represent Black ... · knowyourmeme.com · memes · roll-safeRoll Safe - Know Your Meme · checked on October 16, 2026.
Read next
Want Petty in your collection?
Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.