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“That Happened” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

“That Happened” is a sarcastic phrase used to express skepticism about the authenticity of a story deemed unbelievable or exaggerated.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
That Happened meme
The “That Happened” meme, 2001

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “That Happened” is a rare card of the Memes World series 73, number 21668 of the collection, and the 31st 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 “That Happened” meme mean?

This phrase conveys ironic doubt towards a narrative that seems too perfect or suspicious. Users employ it to highlight the absurdity of tales where the narrator miraculously defeats injustice, implicitly suggesting these events are invented or heavily embellished for sympathy.

Where does the “That Happened” meme come from?

The expression is widely attributed to the TV series *Friends*. In the episode titled *The One with Rachel’s Big Kiss*, aired in April 2001, the character Phoebe Buffay, played by Lisa Kudrow, delivers the line “Yeah, I’m sure that happened”. She responds ironically to Rachel Green’s claims about a university kiss. Although this occurrence is documented, the exact origin remains unknown according to some sources, which sometimes cite the film *State and Main* (2000) as a possible precursor. The initial broadcast platform is unspecified. This quote served as the foundation for the subreddit r/thatHappened, created on November 23, 2012, which collects posts highlighting suspicious claims from various websites.

  1. April 2001Broadcast of the Friends episode containing Phoebe Buffay's original line.
  2. November 23, 2012Creation of the r/thatHappened subreddit dedicated to collecting suspicious narratives.

How to use the “That Happened” meme

  • Reply to a post recounting an improbable moral victory on social media.
  • Comment on a news article featuring testimonies judged excessively dramatic.
  • Highlight contradictions in a personal story shared on a discussion forum.

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The “That Happened” card in MyMemeCards

That Happened card
NumberNo. 21668
RarityRare
CollectionMemes World series 73
Fame66/100 · #31 of 300
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 73: 300 cards
  • Common20167%
  • Rare9933%

How to get the “That Happened” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; That Happened comes out of the Memes World series 73 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 “That Happened”

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Frequently asked questions

That Happened meme origin?

The expression primarily comes from the series Friends, where Phoebe Buffay uses it in 2001 to mark her skepticism. Some also mention the movie State and Main, but the exact source remains uncertain.

What does That Happened mean?

It is a formula of ironic mockery used to doubt the veracity of a story, often perceived as fabricated or exaggerated by its author.

Who said That Happened?

The character Phoebe Buffay, played by Lisa Kudrow in the sitcom Friends, is the one who popularized this famous line.

That Happened meaning?

It indicates that the listener does not believe the presented narrative, suggesting it is invented, too good to be true, or manipulated.

How do I get the That Happened meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “That Happened” is a rare card of the Memes World series 73. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the That Happened card?

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

Sources: That Happened · Like That's Ever Gonna Happen | Know Your Meme · The Meme as Meme - Nautilus · checked on October 14, 2026.

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