Work
Almost finished
The new request arrives just as Homer is ready to leave.
Read caption text
- Before
- All done
- The catch
- Quick favor?
Homer Backing Into Bushes Meme Template
The format
What does Homer Backing Into Bushes mean?
Also called Homer Bush · Homer Disappearing Into Hedge
Give Homer a reason to leave, then let the four panels show his retreat. The empty hedge at the end is the punchline.
Homer gradually disappears instead of responding to an awkward situation. Use the sequence for a quiet exit, a withdrawn claim, or an attempt to avoid being volunteered.
The final panel contains only the hedge. Leaving it uncaptioned gives the reader a moment to notice that the person who was just there has vanished.
Origin
An invitation the Flanders family declines.
The sequence comes from “Homer Loves Flanders,” an episode of The Simpsons first broadcast on March 17, 1994. Homer emerges from the hedge to invite the Flanders family to spend time with him, then retreats when they decline. [1]
Know Your Meme documents the movement as a reaction GIF on GIFGarage in December 2010. Later edits replaced the hedge with other objects. This blank template arranges the retreat as four still panels. [1]
How the meme spread
Homer retreats into the hedge
“Homer Loves Flanders” supplies the animated sequence. [1]
A documented reaction GIF
GIFGarage publishes the retreat as a reaction image. [1]
The hedge becomes replaceable
A Tumblr template removes the hedge so editors can substitute other images. [1]
Homer uses his own GIF
In “The Girl on the Bus,” Homer sends the GIF to Lisa. [1]
Caption guide
Set up the exit and leave room for it to happen.
Use the upper-left panel for the comfortable starting point. The upper-right caption should introduce the request or awkward detail that makes retreat appealing.
You can leave the lower panels clear. Their changing image already shows the response, and extra text can interrupt the disappearance.
- Before
- The comfortable starting point.
- The catch
- The awkward new information.
- Read the grid left to right, then move to the bottom row.
- Give the second caption a direct connection to the first.
- Keep the final hedge empty if the joke is about quietly leaving.
Homer Backing Into Bushes examples
Original captions to try with this template.
Technology
The investigation
The claim of innocence becomes uncomfortable when someone identifies the account.
Read caption text
- Before
- Not my fault
- The catch
- Your login?
Everyday
Audience participation
Recognizing the song was easier than volunteering to perform it.
Read caption text
- Before
- I know this
- The catch
- Sing for us
Related formats
Try another way to tell the joke.
Sources1 reference
References for this template. Example captions are original.
- Homer Simpson Backs Into Bushes: Know Your Meme
Identifies the 1994 episode and documents the GIF, editable hedge, and later in-show reference.