Ever get that feeling where you see something online and you just know it was birthed from a very specific, very unhinged era of the internet? That’s basically the vibe of squids will be squids. It’s not just a phrase. It’s a mindset. It’s a throwback to a time when humor didn't need a three-layered irony filter to be funny, though, let's be real, squids will be squids has plenty of irony baked into its weird, rubbery crust.
The ocean is terrifying.
I’m serious. If you’ve ever looked into the eye of a giant squid—well, you haven't, because they live thousands of feet down and would probably find your presence insulting—you'd realize they are the ultimate "I do what I want" creature of the deep. This specific phrase, squids will be squids, captures that chaotic energy perfectly. It’s the cephalopod version of "boys will be boys," but instead of breaking a window with a baseball, the subject is probably squirt-inking a predator or dragging a sperm whale into a wrestling match it didn't ask for.
What Does Squids Will Be Squids Actually Mean?
Honestly, if you’re looking for a dictionary definition, you’re gonna be disappointed. It’s colloquial. It’s slang that bubbled up from the primordial soup of image boards and early social media. At its core, the saying is used to describe someone—or something—acting exactly as strangely as you’d expect them to. It’s about accepting the inherent weirdness of a situation.
Think about the anatomy of a squid for a second. They have three hearts. Their brains are shaped like donuts. They breathe through their butts (sort of—it’s a siphon, but you get the point). When a creature is built that way, you can’t expect it to follow the rules of polite society. So, when a squid does something predictably alien, we shrug and say squids will be squids.
In a broader sense, people started using it to describe human behavior. You know that one friend who always disappears at a party only to be found in the kitchen explaining the plot of Dune to a golden retriever? That’s a "squids will be squids" moment. It acknowledges that some people are just fundamentally different, and rather than trying to change them, we just acknowledge the "squid-ness" of the situation.
The Biological Reality Behind the Meme
Let's get factual for a minute because real squids are actually way cooler than the memes. Scientists like Dr. Teuthid (a nickname often given to teuthologists, or squid experts) have documented behaviors that make the phrase feel even more appropriate.
For instance, the Humboldt squid. These guys are nicknamed "Red Devils." They’re known to hunt in coordinated packs, flashing red and white like strobing sirens. It’s beautiful and horrifying. If one gets injured? The others might just eat it. No hard feelings. It’s just how they roll. Squids will be squids.
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Then there’s the mimicry. Some species can change their skin texture and color in milliseconds. They aren't just hiding; they are performing. They are the theater kids of the Atlantic. When you realize that they use this complex "language" of skin patterns to communicate everything from "I'm horny" to "I'm going to kill you," the phrase takes on a new layer of meaning. It’s about a communication style that we, as puny mammals, can barely comprehend.
Why the Internet Obsesses Over Cephalopods
The internet loves an underdog, or in this case, an under-squid.
- They are biologically "alien" yet live right here on Earth.
- They possess a high level of intelligence that doesn't look like ours.
- They are visually striking (and sometimes very cute in a "don't touch me" way).
- Their movements are fluid and unpredictable.
We see ourselves in them. Or, more accurately, we see the parts of ourselves we don't quite understand. The impulse to hide, the impulse to change colors when we're embarrassed, the impulse to just jet away from a conversation—it’s all very squid-like.
The Cultural Impact of Being a "Squid"
In different subcultures, the term "squid" carries different weights. In the motorcycling world, a "squid" is a derogatory term for a rider who zips through traffic without protective gear. Why? Because if they crash, they end up looking like... well, a squid. It’s dark. But it’s a real use of the term.
However, in the context of squids will be squids, the tone is usually much lighter. It’s a term of endearment for the eccentric. It’s a way of saying, "You're weird, but that’s your brand, and I’m here for it."
We’ve moved past the era of "I’m so random holds up spork" humor. Thank god. Now, we’re in an era of "Accepting the Eldritch Horrors Within." We recognize that life is chaotic. We recognize that nature is weird. By leaning into phrases like squids will be squids, we’re basically signing a peace treaty with the absurdity of existence.
Real Examples of "Squid-ish" Behavior in the Wild
You've seen it. You just didn't have the words for it.
Take the 2016 "Squidgate" incident in a small coastal town (an illustrative example of how these stories spread). A local fisherman claimed a squid stole his GoPro. He didn't get mad. He just posted the blurry footage of a tentacle reaching for the lens and captioned it... you guessed it. The community didn't demand justice for the camera. They accepted the squid's sovereign right to document its own life.
Or look at the way Splatoon revolutionized gaming. It turned the squid into a pop-culture icon of cool, messy fun. The game's entire premise is about being a squid, making a mess, and then disappearing into the ink. It’s the digital embodiment of the phrase. If a player does something completely erratic that somehow wins the game? Squids will be squids.
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Managing the Chaos: How to Apply "Squid Logic" to Life
You might think a phrase about mollusks has no practical application. You'd be wrong. There is a profound psychological benefit to adopting a "squid" mentality in certain situations.
Stop trying to control everything. Seriously.
The ocean doesn't try to control the squid. It just provides the space for the squid to do its thing. When you encounter a situation at work where a colleague is being inexplicably difficult or "quirky," instead of getting your blood pressure up, try categorizing it. Is this a disaster, or is it just a squids will be squids situation?
Most of the time, it’s the latter.
By labeling weirdness, we take the power away from it. We acknowledge it, we categorize it, and we move on. It’s a form of radical acceptance. It’s about recognizing that some things are just built differently.
Actionable Ways to Embrace Your Inner Squid
If you're feeling stuck in a rut of being "normal" and "predictable," it might be time to let the ink fly. Here is how you can actually use this philosophy:
- Practice camouflaging your mood. Not by hiding, but by adapting. If a room feels tense, change your "color." Be the person who shifts the energy through sheer adaptability.
- Embrace the "Multi-Heart" approach. Don't just put your heart into one thing. Squids have three. Have a backup passion. Have a third passion that just pumps "oxygen" to your weirdest hobbies.
- Jet away from negativity. Squids don't stick around to argue with sharks. They use a jet of water to disappear. If a social media thread is toxic, use your metaphorical siphon and get out of there. No explanation needed.
- Stay flexible. Having no bones is a metaphor for life. Be the person who can squeeze through the tight gaps that others get stuck in because they’re too rigid in their thinking.
Is the Meme Dying or Evolving?
Internet trends usually have the lifespan of a fruit fly. But squids will be squids has stayed in the peripheral vision of the web because it’s based on a fundamental truth. We like things that are slightly "off."
We are moving into an age where AI-generated content (ironically) and perfectly curated aesthetics are everywhere. In that world, the messy, ink-stained reality of a squid is refreshing. It’s tactile. It’s gross. It’s real.
The phrase might change. It might become "octopi will be octopi" for the pedants who want to talk about different cephalopod orders, but the spirit will remain. We need a shorthand for the inexplicable.
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The Science of Cephalopod Intelligence (A Quick Reality Check)
Lest you think this is all just jokes, researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole have shown that squids can actually edit their own genetic messenger RNA. Most creatures (including us) are stuck with what our DNA says. Squids look at their DNA and say, "I have a better idea."
This is massive. It means they are literally re-coding themselves on the fly to deal with cold water or new environments. When we say squids will be squids, we are accidentally referencing one of the most sophisticated biological systems on the planet. They aren't just being "weird"; they are being highly efficient survivors.
They are the ultimate hackers of the natural world.
How to Spot a "Squid" Situation in Your Own Life
You're at a grocery store. A guy is buying eighteen watermelons and a single jar of pickles. He’s wearing a tuxedo.
You could ask questions. You could judge. Or you could just realize that in the vast ocean of human experience, this guy is currently a squid. He’s doing something that makes sense to him, in his specific "depth," and it doesn't need to make sense to you.
This realization is a gift. It frees you from the burden of needing the world to be logical. The world isn't logical. The world is a deep-sea trench filled with glowing monsters and pressure that would crush a car. And yet, things survive down there. They thrive.
What to Do Next
If you’ve found yourself nodding along to the concept of squids will be squids, it’s time to take some real-world steps to integrate this level of chill into your life.
First, stop apologizing for your own "ink." If you have a weird hobby, a strange way of laughing, or a penchant for collecting vintage staplers, stop explaining it. Just be.
Second, the next time someone does something that would normally annoy you—like a partner leaving their socks in the fridge (it happens)—just whisper the phrase to yourself. It’s a verbal "reset" button. It acknowledges that people are organisms with strange internal programming.
Finally, go learn about a real species of squid you've never heard of. Look up the Glass Squid or the Bigfin Squid. Seeing how weird nature actually gets will make your daily problems feel much more manageable. After all, if a creature with a brain wrapped around its esophagus can navigate the ocean, you can probably handle your inbox.
Embrace the ink. Stay squiddy.
Actionable Insights:
- Use "Radical Acceptance" for coworkers who have eccentric habits; categorize them as "squid moments" to reduce stress.
- Study the RNA-editing capabilities of cephalopods as a metaphor for personal growth; you aren't stuck with your "programming."
- Implement the "Jetting Away" technique: leave unproductive conversations or digital spaces immediately without the need for a graceful exit.
- Support marine conservation efforts like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) to ensure actual squids keep being squids for centuries to come.