The 'AirPod Flexing' meme emerged in late 2018 as wireless earbuds transitioned from a niche tech product to a symbol of perceived wealth and status. The meme typically centers on the 'AirPods user' ignoring others—often labeled as 'broke' or 'poor'—because they literally cannot hear them through their premium hardware. It famously popularized the phrase 'It smells like broke in here' and 'Oh god, he has AirPods in, he can't hear us.' This internet phenomenon humorously critiques consumerism and the performative nature of displaying expensive electronics, serving as a go-to template for lighthearted elitism and tech-related satire.