A snowclone is a
contemporary and highly-adaptable phrase or word susceptible to a heavy-degree of banality (similar to that of a cliché) because of it's vulnerability to accede among a multitude of varying audiences.
A snowclone can either refer to the original word or phrasal - as well as it's beneficiaries - so long as
the general form or template is readily detectable.
e.g. The phrase "Keep Calm & Chive-On" is a snowclone of "Keep Calm & Carry-On" however both phrases meet the requirements to be considered a snowclone.
Well know British-American linguistic, Geoffrey K. Pullum, and American television writer and scientist, Glen Whitman, are credited for producing the term in the early 2000's.
The term "snowclone" is believed to be a a fusing of the words "snow" and "clone" as "snow" is a word often associated with a high
concentration synonyms (replacement terms), the word "clone" typically connotes replication and/or repetition.
-"YOLO- You Only Live Once" snowcloned into "OOYL- Only Once You Live" among others.
-"
Netflix & Chill" is a snowclone along with it's many predecessors such as: "Hulu & Hang" or "4Chan & Van" as a way to imply a sexual interest is present.
-Drake's infamous lyric: "Started From the Bottom Now We Here" became a snowclone almost instantly,
prompting many jokes and memes including well-regarded "Started From the Bottom Now We a
Little Bit Above the Bottom" jab.
