A man in a motorized wheelchair finds himself too close to Fourth of July fireworks, and a friend frantically shouts the now-iconic command. This article traces the meme’s origin, its meaning, and how a simple clip became a recurring piece of internet culture — even showing up in official public safety posts.

4 related posts

First known mention: 2023 (Reddit) · Platform of origin: Reddit · Viral resurgence: 2025 (Instagram, Facebook) · Types of merchandise: T-shirts, stickers, GIFs · Notable official use: Cullman County EMA fireworks safety post (2025)

Quick snapshot

1Origin
2Meaning
  • Literal command to reverse a wheelchair
  • Used humorously in chaotic situations
  • Often paired with “Oh Lord, oh Lord Jesus!”
3Viral Spread
  • Resurfaced on Instagram and Facebook in 2025
  • Cullman County EMA used it for fireworks safety
  • Merchandise (T-shirts, stickers) available
4Impact
  • Became a popular meme in contagious laughter communities
  • Crossed into official public safety messaging
  • Ongoing presence on TikTok and GIF platforms

The phrase lives at the intersection of authentic humor and unexpected official adoption.

Fact Value
Phrase Put it in reverse, Terry!
First recorded 2023 (Reddit r/ContagiousLaughter)
Source type User-generated video
Notable official use Cullman County EMA fireworks safety post (2025) (Cullman County EMA (government agency))
Merchandise T-shirts, stickers, GIFs (Know Your Meme (meme encyclopedia))

Where did the phrase “put it in reverse terry” come from?

The original video

  • The earliest known version of the clip was uploaded to YouTube on July 5, 2017, by a user named Woo (Know Your Meme editorial guide (meme encyclopedia)).
  • It shows a man in a motorized wheelchair sitting on a driveway while fireworks explode nearby. A cameraman shouts, “Back up, back up Terry! Put it in reverse Terry!” (Know Your Meme (meme encyclopedia)).
  • The original clip has accumulated roughly 949,000 views and 52,000 likes over six years (Know Your Meme (meme encyclopedia)).

The implication: the video existed for years before the meme took off — it wasn’t an overnight creation but a slow burn.

The Reddit post

  • In 2023, a user shared the video on Reddit’s r/ContagiousLaughter, reigniting interest (Know Your Meme (meme encyclopedia)).
  • The post introduced the phrase to a new audience, and it quickly spread beyond Reddit.

The implication: the Reddit bump turned a five-year-old video into a viral hit.

The viral spread

  • By July 2025, the phrase appeared in Instagram reels, Facebook posts, and TikTok videos (meme.com (meme database)).
  • Even official accounts joined in: the Cullman County Emergency Management Agency used “Put It In Reverse, Terry” in a fireworks safety post on July 3, 2025 (Cullman County EMA (government agency) — note: Facebook post seen via media coverage).
  • A British mobility scooter retailer published an explainer article on July 3, 2025, calling it “The Real Story Behind ‘Back It Up, Terry'” (Mobility Scooters Direct (retail blog)).
The catch

While the meme feels like a one-time joke, its official adoption shows that government communicators recognize the power of relatable humor to deliver serious messages.

Bottom line: The pattern: each wave of attention builds on the last, with the meme crossing from user-generated content into official public safety messaging.

What does the saying “put it in reverse terry” mean?

Literal meaning

  • On its surface, the phrase is a panicked instruction to reverse a motorized wheelchair away from danger (Know Your Meme editorial guide (meme encyclopedia)).
  • In the video, Terry cannot back up quickly enough, and the friend’s escalating shouts add to the chaos.

The implication: the literal meaning is simple — get out of the way — but the delivery makes it unforgettable.

Figurative meaning

The implication: the meme’s versatility — from literal wheelchair command to general retreat signal — explains its staying power.

Common usage

  • People often pair the phrase with “Oh Lord, oh Lord Jesus!” to emphasize desperation.
  • It appears in GIFs and reaction memes, especially around the Fourth of July.

The trade-off: the joke works best when the audience knows the original video; without context, it can seem random.

Who says “put it in reverse terry”?

Who is Terry?

The implication: the exact identity remains uncertain, which is typical for user-generated viral clips — the moment matters more than the person.

The friend who shouted

  • The cameraman shouting the phrase has been named as possibly Steve or Eldraco Wooten in secondary accounts (Lakes Current (local news site)), but these claims are unverified.
  • An Instagram reels caption from July 2025 quotes: “Terry, put it in reverse, Terry! Put it in reverse! Oh Lord, oh Lord Jesus! Oh Steve! What are you doing, Terry? The what? Back it up, Terry!” (Instagram (social media platform) — reel seen via public sharing).

The implication: the friend’s identity adds to the mystery — part of the charm is that we don’t know who these people are.

Where is put it in reverse terry now?

Social media presence

  • The phrase appears in Instagram reels, Facebook posts, and TikTok videos, especially around July 4th.
  • GIF versions are available on GIPHY and Tenor.

The implication: the meme has become seasonal, resurfacing annually like a holiday tradition.

Merchandise

  • T-shirts, stickers, and mugs with the phrase are sold on platforms like Redbubble and Etsy (Know Your Meme (meme encyclopedia)).
  • The merchandise shows that the phrase has transcended the original video and become a standalone brand.

The implication: the meme has commercial value, even if the creators see none of it.

Continued virality

  • The phrase is still active in 2025, with new generations discovering it through reaction compilations and cross-platform shares (The Goblin Garage (blog commentary)).
  • It exemplifies how authentic moments of panic can outperform polished comedy.
Why this matters

The “Put It in Reverse, Terry” meme shows that niche internet humor can leap into mainstream consciousness — and even into government communications — when it feels real.

The pattern: each summer brings a fresh wave of shares, proving the meme’s longevity.

Timeline signal

  • July 5, 2017: Original video uploaded to YouTube by Woo (Know Your Meme (meme encyclopedia)).
  • 2023: Reddit post on r/ContagiousLaughter brings the video to a new audience (Know Your Meme (meme encyclopedia)).
  • July 2025: Instagram reel with the phrase gains traction (exact date unknown).
  • July 3, 2025: Cullman County EMA posts fireworks safety message using the phrase (Cullman County EMA (government agency)).
  • July 3, 2025: Mobility Scooters Direct publishes explainer article (Mobility Scooters Direct (retail blog)).

The implication: the timeline shows a slow-burn meme that accelerated rapidly once mainstream platforms picked it up.

Confirmed facts

  • The phrase “Put it in reverse, Terry!” exists in a video (Know Your Meme (meme encyclopedia)).
  • The video involves a man in a wheelchair near fireworks (Know Your Meme (meme encyclopedia)).
  • The phrase was used in a 2025 Facebook post by Cullman County EMA (Cullman County EMA (government agency)).
  • Merchandise (T-shirts, stickers) is available online (Know Your Meme (meme encyclopedia)).

What’s unclear

  • Exact identity of the man named Terry (possibly Antario Davis or Terry Davis) (meme.com (meme database); lower confidence).
  • Identity of the friend shouting the phrase (possibly Steve or Eldraco Wooten) (Lakes Current (local news site); unverified).
  • Original platform of the video (YouTube confirmed 2017, but some claim earlier Vine origin that is disputed) (WhatNationalDayIsIt (unreliable source) — treated as low confidence).
  • Exact date of the original video (YouTube timestamp shows July 5, 2017, but some sources give different months).

Voices from the meme

“Terry, put it in reverse, Terry! Put it in reverse! Oh Lord, oh Lord Jesus! Oh Steve! What are you doing, Terry? The what? Back it up, Terry!”

— Friend shouting in the original video (as quoted in an Instagram rings caption)

“Put It In Reverse, Terry” — used as a humorous warning for fireworks safety.

— Cullman County Emergency Management Agency, Facebook post, July 3, 2025

The implication: these two voices — one from the original chaos, one from officialdom — show how the phrase has traveled from personal panic to public service.

Bottom line

Bottom line: The “Put it in reverse, Terry” meme is what happens when a real moment of panic meets the internet’s love for relatable humor. For casual users, the phrase is a funny way to say “back out.” For meme historians, it’s a textbook case of a slow-burn viral hit. For government communicators, it’s proof that authentic humor can boost engagement without losing credibility.
Additional sources

knowyourmeme.com, thegoblingarage.co.uk, duzzbuzz.com

The full origin story is available in the full origin story, detailing the 2017 Facebook Live clip.

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Frequently asked questions

How to use “put it in reverse terry” in conversation?

Use it when someone needs to back out of a situation — literally or figuratively. For example, if a friend is about to make a bad decision, you can jokingly shout “Put it in reverse, Terry!”

What is the best “put it in reverse terry” GIF?

The most popular GIFs show a man in a wheelchair with the text overlay. Check GIPHY or Tenor for variations.

Is there a sequel to the original video?

No known sequel exists. The original video remains the only widely circulated version.

Why did the phrase become a meme?

Because it captures a genuine, chaotic moment that many people find relatable and hilarious — especially during Fourth of July celebrations.

What is the role of fireworks in the meme?

Fireworks are the source of danger in the video. The phrase is strongly associated with Fourth of July content and resurfaces annually around that holiday (Know Your Meme editorial guide (meme encyclopedia)).

Who is Steve in the video?

Steve is the name shouted by the cameraman — possibly the friend operating the camera. His full identity remains unconfirmed.

What is the correct spelling of the phrase?

The most common spelling is “Put it in reverse, Terry!” with a comma. Variations include “Back up Terry” and “Back it up Terry.”

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