Leeroy Jenkins
A 2005 World of Warcraft video in which a player named Leeroy Jenkins charges recklessly into a dungeon while his teammates are still planning, destroying the raid and immortalizing a battle cry.
Used whenever someone rushes into a situation without thinking, ignoring everyone else's careful planning. 'You pulled a Leeroy Jenkins' means you acted recklessly and ruined the plan for everyone. The phrase encapsulates the chaos that one impulsive person can unleash on a group.
History
On May 11, 2005, the guild 'PALS FOR LIFE' posted a video of their World of Warcraft raid attempt. While the group carefully calculated survival probabilities for an encounter in Upper Blackrock Spire, player Leeroy Jenkins was AFK. He then returned, screamed 'LEEEEROYYY JENKIIINS!', and charged into the dungeon before the raid was ready, triggering a full wipe. The video spread through gaming forums and YouTube, becoming one of the first major internet memes from video games.
Cultural scores
Editorial estimates of cultural weight — Current Popularity tracks how much people are posting about this now, not historical fame.
Current Popularity = how actively people are posting about this today. Influence = lasting footprint. Cringe = online reception. Brainrot = absurdist energy. Scores last reviewed 2026-07-25. How scoring works
Timeline
May 2005
Video posted by PALS FOR LIFE — Leeroy charges into Upper Blackrock Spire
2005
Spread across gaming forums, Newgrounds, and early YouTube
2006
Referenced on Jeopardy! — mainstream cultural confirmation
2008
Added to World of Warcraft as an in-game achievement: 'Leeeeeeeroy!'
2010s
Remains a standard reference for reckless group planning in gaming culture
Examples
- “Your team is planning the office party carefully, one person books the venue without asking → 'Absolute Leeroy Jenkins move'”
- “At least I have chicken.”
- “Every startup that launches before the product is ready is running a Leeroy Jenkins play”
Media
The full Leeroy Jenkins video — 1 minute 17 seconds that launched one of internet culture's most enduring phrases. The original raid planning, the AFK return, and the immortal battle cry.
Related entries
Culturally linked — not random recommendations.
The Cake Is a Lie
MemePortal's graffiti promise of cake — the gaming catchphrase for bait rewards and false incentives.
Git Gud
SlangIntentional misspelling of 'get good' — the blunt gaming heckle for struggling players (especially Soulsborne culture).
All Your Base Are Belong to Us
MemeThe Zero Wing Engrish catchphrase that became one of the internet's first mainstream memes — 'All your base are belong to us.'
Afro Ninja
MemeMark Allen Hicks's failed audition backflip — the 2000s fail-video that made 'Afro Ninja' synonymous with spectacular wipeouts.
Ah Shit. Here We Go Again
MemeCJ's GTA: San Andreas line turned 2019 reaction meme — the internet's shrug when the same mess starts over.
Arrow to the Knee
MemeSkyrim's guard small-talk — 'I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow to the knee' — turned snowclone.
References
Sources behind this entry. Prefer primary reporting and established culture archives over rumor.
- Leeroy Jenkins — Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org