In Soviet Russia Meme

If you ever visit websites like reddit or slashdot, or indeed any website that posts jokes, you will no doubt have encountered the In Soviet Russia meme, also known as the Russian Reversal.

Essentially, the idea is that you take something that you can do in America and then reverse it to explain the negative opposite that applies in Soviet Russia.

The concept was popularized by Yakov Smirnoff, a Ukrainian born comedian who is also famous for his “America! What a country!” catchphrase.

Smirnoff’s most famous example is:

In America, you can always find a party
In Russia, Party always finds YOU!

This example comes from a commercial that Smirnoff filmed to promote US beer Miller Lite.

Over time, the concept has evolved to add the word ‘Soviet’, so that In Russia jokes have gradually become In Soviet Russia jokes. Some well known examples of In Soviet Russia jokes include:

In America, you watch television,
In Soviet Russia, car drives YOU!

In America, you watch Big Brother,
In Soviet Russia, Big Brother watches YOU!

In the internet age, the approach is often used to introduce humorous pictures about Russia, particularly on the Reddit website.

The concept has taken on a life of its own, and many pictures referencing the meme are available – you can even get some as t-shirts.

If you have a favourite In Soviet Russia joke that you’d like to share, please let us know in the comments below.