Origin
The meme originated from The Simpsons episode “Lisa the Skeptic” (1997), where Homer points to a sign reading: “In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics!” The screenshot gained meme status in November 2016 on Reddit’s r/TheSimpsons.
The format satirizes arbitrary household rules, virtue signaling, and performative progressivism through Homer’s absurd declaration.
Format & Peak (2016-2018)
The template: “In this house, we [belief/rule]” became a vehicle for:
- Political yard sign parodies
- Household rule mockery
- Fandom declarations
- Ironic virtue signaling
Common variations:
- “In this house, we stan [celebrity]”
- “In this house, we [arbitrary rule]”
- Multi-panel versions with escalating absurdity
Peak usage: 2016-2018, particularly during 2016 election and 2017 political activism.
Cultural Commentary
The meme mocked the proliferation of political yard signs and social media virtue signaling. It highlighted the performative nature of public declarations without meaningful action.
Decline
By 2019, the format had been exhausted. However, it remains recognizable as commentary on performative politics.
Sources
- Know Your Meme: In This House
- Reddit r/TheSimpsons
- The AV Club: Simpsons Meme History