The "wuh" emote is used to express confusion, surprise, bewilderment, or a state of being dumbfounded. It represents that moment when someone is caught off-guard or doesn't understand what's happening. The name "wuh" mimics the sound someone might make when they're confused or processing unexpected information - essentially a verbal representation of "what?" or "huh?" The wide-eyed expression of the cat perfectly captures that feeling of being stunned or perplexed.
Origin
The "wuh" emote originates from a cat named Thurston Waffles, a famous internet cat known for his distinctive screaming/yelling videos. The emote captures a close-up moment of Thurston with wide, surprised eyes and a somewhat confused or startled expression. This particular frame became popular on Twitch and other platforms around 2019-2020 when Thurston Waffles' videos went viral across social media. The emote is commonly found on 7TV, BetterTTV (BTTV), and FrankerFaceZ (FFZ) as a third-party emote rather than being an official Twitch global emote.
When to use
When a streamer says something confusing or contradictory
During unexpected plot twists in games or streams
When chat doesn't understand a streamer's decision or logic
In response to bizarre or surreal moments during a broadcast
When someone makes a statement that leaves viewers puzzled
As a reaction to technical difficulties or glitches that create confusion
When a streamer forgets what they were talking about mid-sentence
