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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Tripping Balls” is a rare card of the Memes World series 72, number 21446 of the collection, and the 72nd 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 “Tripping Balls” meme mean?
The phrase describes being under the strong influence of psychedelics like LSD. Visually, it accompanies faces frozen in awe or shock. The humor comes from contrasting the intensity of the “trip” with the mundane or ridiculous nature of the image. It’s an exaggerated way to say one is stunned or completely lost in thought.
Where does the “Tripping Balls” meme come from?
The exact origin of the phrase is unknown, though lexicographer Tony Thorne places it in counter-cultural slang since the 1980s. Know Your Meme cites an unverified claim of use in 1985. The oldest online record dates to June 13, 2000, on Erowid. The visual format gained popularity in the mid-2000s through YTMND and appearances in *Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle* (2004) and *South Park*. The meme relies on a generic reuse of the caption over any image of extreme surprise, lacking a specific visual source.
- 1985First unverified claim of oral use of the phrase in counter-cultural circles.
- June 13, 2000Oldest recorded online occurrence published on the Erowid website.
- 2004Massive spread through inclusion in the movie Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.
How to use the “Tripping Balls” meme
- Caption a photo of a cat startled by a cucumber with this phrase to exaggerate its reaction.
- Comment a video where someone discovers an unexpected secret using an image of dilated pupils.
- Respond to shocking news by sharing a GIF of wide eyes accompanied by the phrase.
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The “Tripping Balls” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 21446 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Rare |
| Collection | Memes World series 72 |
| Fame | 69/100 · #72 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Tripping Balls” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Tripping Balls 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 “Tripping Balls”
More cards of the Memes World series 72
Frequently asked questions
Tripping Balls meme origin?
The exact origin is unknown. It appears in 1980s counter-cultural slang, but the first written online trace dates to 2000 on Erowid.
Tripping Balls meaning?
It means being deeply under the influence of a psychedelic drug. In the meme context, it describes extreme stupor or surprise.
Who invented Tripping Balls?
No single creator is identified. The phrase stems from counter-cultural slang, described by lexicographer Tony Thorne as an old term without a precise author.
Tripping Balls true or false?
The meme is real and widely used. However, the claim that it has existed since 1985 is not officially verified by academic sources.
How do I get the Tripping Balls meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Tripping Balls” 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 Tripping Balls card?
It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Tripping Balls | Know Your Meme · Who First Put Their Balls to the Wall? - MEL Magazine · TRIPPING BALLS · checked on October 13, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.