Also known as the Mordor meme, the statement “One does not simply walk into Mordor” is an unforgettable line by Boromir in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, a 2001 epic fantasy film. Images macros all over the Internet often use either the scene where the character originally speaks the line or the fictional location Mordor.
In the scene, the Council of Elrond discusses how the One ring must be destroyed by throwing it in the fiery chasm of Mount Doom, to which Boromir rebuffs.
Elrond: The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. The ring must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this.
Boromir: One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. The great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten-thousand men could you do this. It is folly.
Snowclone Variants
The word walk is usually replaced with another verb to better suit with the image. Mordor may also be substituted in images where the location is the relevant subject. An early example of this variation is found in Something Awful.
The Mordor meme remains popular even to this day. In 2006, internet humor blog My[confined]Space posted a failed Telnet connection to Mordor whereas, in 2007, I Can Has Cheezburger puts up an image of Boromir riding a big cat:
Google Maps Easter Egg
Even Google has its own Mordor easter egg in its Maps service. If you get walking directions from The Shire to Mordor, the cautionary advice will say “One does not simply walk into Mordor,” instead of the usual “This route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths.”
Best of the Mordor Meme
