How do you say “resurrected” in your favourite Duolingo-offered language? Duo the owl, the mascot of the Duolingo language-learning app, was just lately killed off by the corporate — however on Feb. 24, he was introduced again to life. Social media posts present Duo (nicely, an individual in a Duo masks and neon-green go well with) hopping out of a coffin. The video options the phrases “LEGENDS NEVER DIE” and the caption, “y’all actually assume I would let a Cybertruck take me out?”
The corporate had posted a hyperlink urging Duolino customers to take a language lesson to assist convey the mascot again to life.
“It is Duo or Die!” a message on the location learn. “Let’s work collectively to convey Duo again earlier than it is too late! Do a lesson now.”
The positioning was then up to date with stats displaying which international locations earned essentially the most expertise factors, or XP, which is the foreign money the location awards to customers who follow a language. The US topped the listing, adopted by Germany, Brazil, China and India.
“Duo is saved!” the location learn as of Feb. 24.
A consultant for Duolingo didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The resurrection could really feel acquainted. In 2020, one other model famously killed off its mascot: Mr. Peanut was roasted by Planters in an advert that ran earlier than that yr’s Tremendous Bowl. Mr. Peanut’s loss of life did not final lengthy, nonetheless; he was resurrected as a child nut in an advert that ran in the course of the recreation.
Duo’s loss of life
After the Tremendous Bowl on Feb. 9, Duo cheerfully mocked the (metaphorical) loss of life of rapper Drake throughout Kendrick Lamar’s Tremendous Bowl efficiency, posting a crude animation with the caption, “Drake after attending his personal funeral on nationwide television.” However two days later, it was the inexperienced cartoon owl who ended up lifeless, murdered by Duolingo’s advertising and marketing group.
After the announcement, the corporate marketed the sale of Duo plushies in coffin-shaped containers, writing “All Duo Plushie purchases include a free, restricted version memorial coffin field, whereas provides final.”
‘Died ready so that you can do your lesson’
In a mock-somber social-media submit after the “loss of life” was introduced, the language app firm introduced Duo’s loss of life, writing, “Authorities are at present investigating his reason behind loss of life and we’re cooperating totally. Tbh, he most likely died ready so that you can do your lesson, however what do we all know.”
The submit, which appeared on a number of platforms, talked about that Duo, “Formally often called The Duolingo Owl,” had “many enemies.” Duolingo then posted a memorial, referring to the mascot as Duo Keyshauna Renee Lingo. “In lieu of flowers, please do a Duolingo lesson,” the corporate wrote. A TikTok video confirmed different mascots transporting a coffin containing the owl onto a pickup truck.
In one other submit, Duolingo stated, “Replace: Officers have recognized reason behind loss of life. Extra particulars to observe. Thanks for holding house for Duolingo.”
Hours later, Duolingo did not reveal a wrongdoer, however did present the way of loss of life: In a video, Duo is hit by a Tesla Cybertruck after a warning that the content material could also be delicate to some owls.
The lifeless mascot floats by the cosmos and previous a scary set of gates (do mascots go to hell?). In a caption, the corporate stated, “Reward for whoever can establish the driving force.”
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The Duo-Dua Lipa connection
The blitz of posts drew consideration from web meme-makers, who speculated on how the loss of life got here to be, and types together with Baskin Robbins and Cheez-Its in addition to the sport Halo and streamer Netflix acknowledged the fictional passing, the final of those with a Squid Sport tie-in. The Monster Hunter recreation franchise tried to take credit score for the loss of life in its personal submit.
Maybe most bizarrely (or sweetly, relying in your perspective), pop star Dua Lipa posted: “Til’ loss of life duo half” with a broken-heart emoji.
Dua Lipa beforehand appeared in a video with the mascot and was, on this fictional narrative, maybe relationship the owl.
Within the loss of life discover, Duolingo wrote, “We recognize you respecting Dua Lipa’s privateness presently.”
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