Etymology

Assad curse

Today it means: A supposed curse causing anyone who criticizes Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to have their criticism backfire on them; especially, that a politician who says "Assad must go" will themselves be removed from power. Full definition →

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The story

According to Know Your Meme, the curse was first mentioned in a tweet posted by @iadtawil on May 6, 2016. Assad remained in power during the Syrian Civil War from 2011 until late 2024, when he was overthrown.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.