AboutWhat does the meme depict?

The 'Phteven' meme features a chihuahua-dachshund mix dog named Tuna, who is characterized by a distinct overbite and lower jaw dysfunction. The meme nickname 'Phteven' humorously references how the name 'Steven' might be pronounced with a lisp. This concept was inspired by an unrelated image of a receipt where the customer's name was misspelled as 'Phteven'.

OriginWho did it first?

The meme originated with the launch of the 'TunaMeltsMyHeart' Instagram feed on November 22nd, 2011, by Tuna's owner Courtney Dasher. The feed featured numerous photographs of Tuna, emphasizing his unique jaw features. Tuna was rescued at a local Farmer's Market and, according to his owner, had been found abandoned near San Diego, California. The backstory can be further explored in an interview shared by Darling Magazine.^[1]

Origin: 2011