The phrase originally started in the Facebook group Tavern At The End Of The
Internet following the propensity for a staff member always commenting ‘These jokes never get old, just like
Nina!’ on Nina Tucker
memes (from Fullmetal Alchemist). The use has expanded to being
said when getting in right before the closing off point of something - getting in just before the red light, being the very last one to score a ticket for something, etc. It’s rapidly growing in popularity across groups and even into irl situations, bamboozling friends and coworkers.
Original gag:
Step 1: See a Nina Tucker
memeStep 2: Look to see if Tim Brockway has commented ‘These jokes never get old, just like
Nina!’ yet
Step 3: If he hasn’t, then comment ‘In Before The Brockway’. You’ve won this round! If he has, then he wins.
Step 4: Rinse and Repeat!
“Finally, I’m in before the Brockway!”
“Damn, he’
s just too
quick, I never get in before the Brockway”