((WIP, researching))
About
“You Tried” is a catchphrase used to note an attempt to do something that ended up in a “fail”. It is presented as a caption on an image of a gold star. It is frequently used on Tumblr, and is also used on forums and messageboards.
Origin and Spread
The origin of the online usage of the phrase “You Tried” online, along with the star image, is difficult to trace. The use of the gold star, however, predates its association with “You Tried.” As early as January 2011, tumblr users began “awarding” each other gold stars for good submissions or asks, such as the following:
These are a contiuation of the common practice of elementary school teachers awarding their students gold stars for good work or behavior. The first instances of using a gold star along with the phrase “You Tried” appears around May of 2012, and can now be frequently seen on the site, as well as on other discussion or image-based sites. The phrase “You Tried” is a common response to poorly-executed tasks, and in its online context, it is usually used to pretend to express sympathy. When combined with a gold star, it sends a fake message of support despite obvious failure; as such, it is frequently used to troll people.
On tumblr, the “You Tried” star is usually added after reblogging a post. Since gaining popularity there, it has spread to other forum and imageboard sites, where it is used in similar contexts.
Derivatives
Numerous derivatives of the gold star motif exist, most frequently bearing other messages, such as “You Didn’t Try” or “You Died.”