English or Spanish

English or Spanish is an Internet prank challenge that was popularized in 2024. The challenge involves asking the question "English or Spanish?" to an unsuspecting person or group—mainly men or boys—and then declaring "Whoever moves first is gay" in the chosen language. The participants, including the speaker, would often remain still in response.^[1][2][3]

History

The trend originated on February 25, 2024, when Alfonso Pinpon published a TikTok video showing mall patrons being pranked by the challenge; the video is entirely in Spanish.^[4][2][5][3] Similar videos by the same creator were published within the next few months, eventually leading to the challenge's virality. Certain videos inspired by the trend show individuals or objects freezing in place just by the mention of the question "English or Spanish?"^[1][4][2][6] Many videos on the trend also play the song "Static" by Steve Lacy when individuals freeze in place.^[4][6]

Reception

Some publications like The Mary Sue pointed out the presence of internalized homophobia in the trend.^{[1][4][2][6][5]}

See also

• Mannequin Challenge