From Know Your Meme.

Is robophobia trending?
The term “clanker," first heard in the 2005 game Star Wars: Republic Commando, started as a tongue-in-cheek insult for droids. It became a popular meme in the Star Wars fandom, especially on the PrequelMemes subreddit.

In June 2025, TikTokers began using it in real life, yelling “clanker” at delivery robots and racking up millions of views. The trend quickly spread to Twitter, inspiring more robot “slurs” like “oil leaker,” “copper head,” and “rust bucket.”

The meme has even been covered on mainstream news, with some suggesting it reflects a growing skepticism toward AI.

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00:00 The Rise of Robophobia
00:11 Origins of the Term ‘Clanker’
00:31 The Spread of ‘Clanker’ in Memes
00:44 Robophobia in Popular Culture
01:05 Viral Trends on TikTok
01:30 The Impact on Social Media
01:50 Mainstream Media Coverage
02:50 Is ‘Clanker’ Just a Joke?

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