National Dabbing Day

Young dancers, hip and trendy, dressed in colorful outfits, doing the dabbing dance move, against a vibrant cityscape backdrop.. — National dabbing day illustration

Get those elbows ready and lean into it—National Dabbing Day just might be the quirkiest celebration you've never heard of! This day dedicated to the popular dance move has had the internet busting a move since its inception.

When is Dabbing Day?

It's national dabbing day on the 11th January.

A Brief History of National Dabbing Day

While most traditional holidays often date back centuries, National Dabbing Day, commemorated every year on January 11, is a contemporary newcomer. It saw a surge in online popularity on 11th Jan 2017 as 3500 mentions of the trend spread across the internet like a perfectly executed wave at a football game. Originating from the hip hop scene in Atlanta, the dab caught on like wildfire and it wasn't long before everyone was hitting dabs from school yards to the Superbowl.

The Dab Hits the Internet

The dab is more than just a dance move; it became an internet sensation, a universal sign of triumph or playfulness, which likely contributed to the rise of National Dabbing Day. Throughout social media platforms, viral videos of celebrities, politicians, and even puppets dabbing contributed to the awareness and fun of this day.

Celebrating National Dabbing Day

While you won't be baking a dab-shaped cake or giving dab themed gifts (although, that could be fun too!), the best way to celebrate National Dabbing Day is to proudly perform the move whenever possible! You can also take to social media to share your best dab picture or video, adding the hashtag #NationalDabbingDay. Whether you're a seasoned dabber or just learning the ropes, this day is all about losing inhibitions and having some fun!

History behind the term 'Dabbing'

2012

Dabbing's Origins in Hip-Hop

Dabbing originated within the hip-hop dance community in Atlanta, Georgia, around 2012. It first appeared in music videos and quickly became a popular dance move among young performers and artists. The term 'dabbing' was coined to describe the movement resembling the gesture of sneezing and using one's arm to cover their nose.

2014

The Migos Influence

In 2014, the hip-hop group Migos released the track 'Look at My Dab' which popularized the dance move and introduced it to a wider audience. This song and its associated dance move quickly gained traction, especially among teenagers and young adults in the United States.

2015

The Cam Newton Connection

The year 2015 marked a turning point in the spread of dabbing when NFL quarterback Cam Newton adopted the dance move as his celebratory gesture. After scoring touchdowns, Newton would perform the dab, capturing the attention of millions of sports fans around the world. His dabbing celebrations became iconic and helped solidify dabbing as a cultural phenomenon.

2016

Viral Internet Sensation

Dabbing reached its peak popularity as a viral internet sensation in 2016. The move became a symbol of success or accomplishment, with people capturing themselves dabbing in various settings and sharing the videos across social media platforms. Dabbing also started to appear in popular culture, from television shows to commercials, further cementing its place in contemporary society.

2017

Dabbing as a Cultural Reference

While the peak of dabbing's popularity started to decline in 2017, it still remained a recognizable and often-referenced cultural phenomenon. The move continued to make appearances in music, movies, and sports, and its legacy as a temporary craze left a lasting impact on dance and popular culture as a whole.