Yesterday morning and into the afternoon, the social media of a large amount of dance music producers and DJs was taken over by a singular phrase: Om Telolet Om. Having been tweeted out for hours and hours with virtually no explanation given as to why, the answer was finally revealed to be a common phrase in Indonesia.
The phrase is one part onomatopoetic and two parts “Hey!”
“Om” is something used to get the attention of a male elder in Indonesia, while “telolet” represents the sound that a bus’s horn makes. It literally translates to “sir, honk your horn, sir.” We’re still not sure why this pervaded dance music exclusively to such a degree, but it sure made for an interesting day – and also a lot of engagement for these artists on their accounts.
OM TELOLET OM
— Zedd (@Zedd) December 20, 2016
what is Om Telolet Om?
— MARTIN GARRIX (@MartinGarrix) December 20, 2016
Om Telolet Om
— DJ SNAKE (@djsnake) December 20, 2016
Om Telolet Om is awesome
— marshmello (@marshmello) December 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/Alesso/status/811341070206377989
Om Telolet Om pic.twitter.com/kckKOsdURv
— Showtek (@SHOWTEK) December 20, 2016
What the hell is this Om Toilet Om about?!
— Laidback Luke (@LaidbackLuke) December 20, 2016
OM TELOLET OM NO. Let me sleep plz pic.twitter.com/rDPCHsujZC
— 🌴🦎Oliver Heldens 🐨🕺🏻 (@OliverHeldens) December 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/DILLONFRANCIS/status/811386984358780928
There are even entire songs now created about the phrase!
If you’re wondering what an Indonesian bus horn really sounds like, check it out below.
https://youtu.be/JR3AH2sMQrs?t=17
H/T Billboard
