When Meta aka Facebook got roasted on Twitter; Wendy's, Grofers to Paytm, take a look

Facebook's announcement Thursday that the company would henceforth be called Meta unleashed a torrent of hilarity on Twitter.

An avatar of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seen riding a hydrofoil in the "Metaverse" during a live-streamed VR and AR conference to announce the rebrand of Facebook as Meta. (VIA REUTERS)

If nothing else, the Metaverse really rocked the world of social media. And most if it went towards poking fun at Facebook (Meta) chief Mark Zuckerberg. While there are other instances where companies changed names, like Google introduced Alphabet, but this is the first time there is actually a vision behind it of creating an alternative reality for users. It did not go down well with the Twitterati.  And not just ordinary citizens, big brands too jumped onto the bandwagon to roast Meta aka Facebook. Among these brands are Zomato, Disney, Grofers, Wendy's and others. 

Yes, Facebook's announcement Thursday that the company would henceforth be called Meta unleashed a torrent of hilarity on Twitter from companies, people and even the social media giant itself.

While critics pummelled Facebook over the change, claiming the rebranding aims to distract from the company's scandals, the internet still had a good laugh, reported AFP by highlighting some of the tweets.

Here are some highlights of the meme and pun-fueled wisecracks:

pitched renaming our brand to zometa but the idea was rejected at once

— zomato (@zomato) October 29, 2021

- 'Changing name to Meat' -

Meat jokes were all the rage, with US hamburger chain Wendy's tweeting shortly after the news: "Changing name to Meat."

Remaining true to its word, the chain did just that -- but only on its Twitter profile.

A tweeting wit under the handle @NicoTheMemeDude queried: "Is this the beginning of the Meataverse?"

To which Wendy's retorted: "very meta."

Meta's newly minted Twitter account, which already accrued 13.5 million followers, cordially chimed in: "Nice to meat you, @Wendys."

- 'Sounds like a drug' -

kem? pic.twitter.com/hux6uXtEQD

— પેટીએમ (@PaytmGujarat) October 29, 2021

Though Meta will just be the name of the parent company, and the app will still be called Facebook, some observers were concerned.

"How can you tell anyone that you're on Meta. Sounds like a drug," wrote @careaware.

- 'Meh was taken' -

Thinking of changing our name to Methi

— Swiggy (@swiggy_in) October 29, 2021

The social network's new name spurred plenty of disappointment too.

"Why did Facebook pick 'Meta'? 'Meh' was taken," wrote @maxgoff.

- Meta... World Peace? -

A former pro basketball player who many know as Metta World Peace, the distinct handle he gave himself in 2011, was quickly pulled into the fray.

"Facebook's new full name is Meta World Peace," wrote @darrenrovell.

"i only recognize one metta @MettaWorld37," @MylesMaNJ opined, to which the former Laker, born Ron Artest, replied simply: "lol".

- 'Very... meta' -

which universe would you rather be in?#Meta #Metaverse pic.twitter.com/89IgMLTE2B

— grofers (@Grofers) October 29, 2021

For lots of people, meta will forever describe something that refers back to or is about itself, like a film about people making a film about filmmaking.

"Everyone posting about Facebook on Twitter is very... meta," wrote @JohnRush32.

- 'Not the problem' -

The first glimpse of #Metaverse 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wEFpQ11mI4

— Disney+ Hotstar (@DisneyPlusHS) October 29, 2021

Facebook name change dodges the real issue, many felt.

"The name was never the problem," wrote an activist group calling itself The Real Facebook Oversight Board.