Turns out that the phrase “mildly interesting” has been used way prior to the “Mildly Interesting” subreddit's launch in 2012. According to Know Your Meme, its first uses online can be traced back as early as July 2005. Just like today, it has been used to describe things that “are not completely captivating, but worth checking out.”

Know Your Meme reports that on July 10th, 2005, the site X-Entertainment compiled a list featuring “mildly interesting” print adverts found in '80s comic books and magazines.

However, it took 7 more years before internet culture really caught up with the phrase, which has become a household name to describe anything that causes “mild interest” in viewers.

Today, “mildly interesting” has grown into a sort-of internet trend with numerous Twitter accounts where people share pictures, videos, screenshots, and whatnot that best capture the essence of the phrase.

The huge popularity of the “mildly interesting” trend may have to do with the fact that it refers to the very middle ground that connects intriguing content with something bland and not worth sharing.

In the online culture where exceptionally original, rarely seen, and super captivating content is increasingly rare, “Mildly Interesting” offers a comforting space to quench one’s thirst for browsing through quite, but not too interesting stuff.