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"Not the" are two words that, once followed up by a clause, call out something or someone. Usually, it's in a comedic sense but can and is used with negative or serious intention. The 'the' is replaceable for names, words like 'y'all', pronouns, and other verbs.

Although its not quite clear where "not the" orginates from, it's mostly commonly used on Tiktok and Twitter.
Mike sends a picture of himself in a clown costume to his friend, Paul. In the background of the picture there's his dog, also wearing a clown costume.

Paul, noticing this, texts him 'Not the dog lmao' to commend his efforts.
not the by Almapie* April 25, 2021
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"not the" and occasionally "not y'all" followed by a phrase is used to draw attention to something that is either blatantly obvious or something that isnt funny. it is usually used by females on social platforms like twitter, tiktok, or instagram. its fucking annoying when this is seen in the comments because literally nobody cares. most of the time other females respond to the comment with "fr" or some other dumb shit
ashleyyy06_ on tiktok: "Not the weirdos in the comments 😃✋"
emilyBLM_LGBTQ05 on twitter "Not y'all assuming her gender 😃✋"
not the by x22e==e39yyh880ui=x__aft February 25, 2021
"Not the," followed by a noun phrase, is an abbreviation of "Oh no! Not the," an expression of dismay. "The" can be substituted with other articles or determiners as fits the subject.

In familiar cartoons and movies it was employed as part of an over-the-top dismayed reaction to a threat, as in the Looney Tunes Cat and Bulldog cartoons: "Oh no! Not Happy Birthday! Not that! Please! Anything but Happy Birthday!"

In internet discourse it is mostly used in an ironic mode, expressing mock dismay at impotent threats, events or statements that are cringe, jokes that are too tryhard and so on.
"Take him to Detroit."
"NOT DETROIT!" - Kentucky Fried Movie (1977)

"NOT THE BEES!" - Wicker Man (2006)

Bender, believing himself a knight, picks up some pieces of silverware, and using his arm like a bow, starts shooting them at other characters.
Zoidberg: "Not the spork!" - Bender's Game (2008)

"not the employer sending the application rejection letter on christmas LMAO" -- @TobyTheDerg

"You're losing 1 inch of hairline for that buddy" -- @Inero
"Not the balding hex LMAO" -- @Voxtrik

Not the brightest bulb in the chandelier 

Someone slow, dimwitted or stupid - another way of saying "Not the sharpest knife in the drawer". Also, someone who stands out in a crowd as being particularly unintelligent.
Marisa: Why does Eric even bother talking in class - he has no idea what he's talking about.

Michael: What do you expect? I mean he's not the brightest bulb in the chandelier!

Not the Momma! 

from the television series, Dinosaurs, baby's favorite thing to say after he would hit his dad over the head with a frying pan.
Example :
baby dinosaur says , "NOt the momma! *Bam* Hits his dad over head with frying pan. "
Not the Momma! by senosenoshi September 16, 2009

Not The Cheat 

The guy from 21 Jump Street.
Not The Cheat by Twitchy McGee February 23, 2003

NOT THE BEES 

A fad on the internet based off the movie "The Wicker Man". It is often accommodated by obnoxious screaming, along with "Killing me won't bring your honey back!""Their in my eyes!" and "The goggles, they do nothing!"
Guy1- Hey look, there's a bee's nest!
Guy2- NOT THE BEES!! AAAUUUHHH AAAUUUHH THEIR IN MY EYES, AAAUUUHHH *drops to the ground and crawls away*
NOT THE BEES by Toxic-Onyx March 3, 2010
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Respectfully 

Precedes or follows either a gratuitously disrespectful or honest remark, originated in New York City. Used in similar fashion to "no offense" or "to be honest," interchangeably.
Ya mans is wild buns, respectfully. Respectfully he's washed.

After school, The Modells on Jamaica Ave was active. Respectfully.
Respectfully by john quan the first December 20, 2020
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You met me at a very Chinese time in my life

A moment in time where you feel distinctly Chinese over all other things.
Dante: "I wish I could be Nigerian, but I can't because I'm Chinese. You met me at a very Chinese time in my life."
Word of the Day on September 25, 2026
Adjective. Used to describe persons who have adjusted or altered their lifestyle for environmental reasons. Crunchy persons tend to be politically strongly left-leaning and may be additionally but not exclusively categorized as vegetarians, vegans, eco-tarians, conservationists, environmentalists, neo-hippies, tree huggers, nature enthusiasts, etc.

Also used to describe establishments where alternative foods and products are sold, i.e. natural food stores.

Modified derivative of granola.
"I need more crunchy guys in my life. I'm so tired of dating preppy metrosexual assholes."

"I'm heading out to the crunchy store to pick up some fair trade chocolate and tea tree oil, do you need anything?"
crunchy by EBC July 11, 2007
Word of the Day on September 24, 2026
A group of people, typically women, searching through someone’s digital footprint in order to find more information about that person.
Susie wasn’t sure if her new Hinge match was a creep, so she assembled Galantir and they found out he used to post slurs on gaming forums.
Galantir by Ge-sus September 22, 2026
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