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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 

Not The Cheat. Not The Cheat.
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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No Surprises Wedding

A "No Surprises Wedding," or NSW, is a wedding invitation designation that tells attendees that there can be no unplanned announcements, engagements, events or speeches at the wedding - all actions must be pre-approved by the couple. Anyone who performs an unapproved "surprise" will be asked to leave the wedding early.

This designation comes from Reddit, where so many stories of bad wedding behavior indicated a need to communicate expectations for the wedding behavior of attendees.
You are cordially invited to the nuptials of Brian and Tom on October 31 at noon.

Please note that this wedding is child-free (under 10) and a No Surprises Wedding (NSW). Reach out to wedding planner Sami Smith to request approvals or exceptions; please note that exceptions will be rare. Limited child care for under-10s will be available. All approvals will be noted and included in planning. Unapproved, or surprise exceptions, will result in guests being asked to leave.
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Ulzzang true definition is "best & "face" = best face in korean. They are basically people with above average looks, sometimes with the use of photoshop and haduri who post their pics online, some becoming internet celebrities.
"Hey, see that chick over there? She's pretty enough to be an ulzzang. :D"
ulzzang by `r i k kit t y February 26, 2008
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EBK stands for "Elite Ball Knowledge." 1 In internet slang, "ball knowledge" originally referred to a deep understanding of football/soccer or basketball, but it has evolved into a broader term for having a highly sophisticated, deep, or niche understanding of any specific topic (such as music, movies, or subcultures).
Person A: "That scene was a direct homage to an unreleased 1982 Japanese indie film."
Person B: "Wow, EBK."
EBK by silwhett November 5, 2026
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A seemingly endless debate with a idiot
I don't know man im not ready for yap trap stupidity today which always tries to suck you into it
Yap Trap by WolfieSnack November 4, 2026
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