What Does Apes Together Strong Mean?
“Apes together strong” became the rallying cry of retail investors during the GameStop short squeeze, emphasizing collective power against Wall Street institutions. It referenced Planet of the Apes and framed retail traders as united underdogs.
Origins: WallStreetBets
The phrase emerged on r/WallStreetBets in January 2021 during the GME frenzy. Members called themselves “apes” (smooth-brained, impulsive) and adopted the Planet of the Apes quote as their philosophy: individually weak, collectively powerful.
The movement positioned retail investors against hedge funds shorting GameStop. By coordinating purchases and refusing to sell, “apes” drove the stock from $20 to nearly $500, causing billions in short-seller losses.
Cultural Impact
The slogan spread beyond GameStop to AMC, cryptocurrency (especially Dogecoin), and other meme investments. It represented populist revolt against financial elites and belief in community-driven market disruption.
“Ape” became an identity — users on Reddit, Twitter, and Discord called themselves apes, shared DD (due diligence), and encouraged holding through volatility.
Legacy
While GME eventually declined, the movement demonstrated retail investors’ coordinated power and changed conversations about market manipulation, democratization, and social media’s influence.