Internet meme 'Deez Nuts' out-polls Walker, Fiorina, and Huckabee in North Carolina

The latest Public Policy Polling numbers show a surprising presidential hopeful overtaking Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, and Scott Walker in North Carolina — and he's dead even with Marco Rubio, too. The independent candidate, registered as "Deez Nuts," is officially polling at 9 percent in North Carolina.

"Deez Nuts," according to Know Your Meme, originated as "a video remix series containing a clip of internet personality WelvenDaGreat saying the phrase 'deez nuts' into a phone, which is often added as the punch line into a variety of videos on Instagram and Vine." The phrase actually dates back to Dr. Dre's 1992 studio album, The Chronic, which features a track titled "Deeez Nuuuts." In the song's intro, Snoop Dogg tells the titular "deez nuts" joke to a woman on the phone. The phrase was added to Urban Dictionary — and thus made truly official — in 2004, Know Your Meme reports.

Deez Nuts filed a statement of candidacy in late July with the Federal Election Commission, which means he's shown surprising momentum in just a few weeks. It all just goes to show — only in America.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.