What does the fox say?

The phrase is best known from the viral 2013 novelty song by Ylvis, where it is used as a comedic running question rather than a serious factual claim. In real life, foxes make a mix of sounds, including screams, chirps, and high-pitched calls, which is why the joke became so memorable.

Quick Scoop

• The song asks “what does the fox say?” as a playful hook, not to give a real answer.

• Foxes do vocalize in several ways; one common description is that they often “scream” when alarmed.

• The phrase remains a recognizable internet and pop-culture reference years later.

In plain English

If you heard the line as a meme, it usually means someone is joking about a fox’s mysterious or funny sound. The humor comes from the contrast between a simple question and a very weird, catchy answer pattern in the song. Some recent pages still reference it as a viral cultural touchpoint, showing that it has stayed in online circulation.

Real fox sounds

Foxes do not make just one sound. They may scream, chirp, bark, or make other sharp calls depending on the situation. That variety is part of why the joke landed so well: the “answer” is less about one sound and more about foxes sounding unusual to human ears.

Why it stuck

The line became memorable because it was absurd, repetitive, and easy to quote. It also spread widely through music video sharing and later parody or educational references online. That mix of humor and repetition helped it outlive the original moment.

TL;DR

“What does the fox say?” is a meme and song reference, not a literal riddle. Real foxes make several sounds, especially screams and chirps.