The phrase where is rats rats we’re the rats from comes from a specific internet joke, not a traditional song or old rhyme.
It originates from Jerma985’s Rat Movie universe, where a chant about rats became a meme across YouTube and fan spaces.
The line comes from a Jerma985 video called Rat Movie: Mystery of the Mayan Treasure. The meme spread because the chant is catchy, weird, and easy to remix.

Jerma985 created Rat Movie: Mystery of the Mayan Treasure as a parody video full of absurd characters, noisy gags, and intentionally awkward music.
The chant, “Rats, rats, we’re the rats,” became the part people remembered, then repeated, clipped, and remixed.
The Exact Origin Of The Chant

The famous line is not an old rat proverb or a random internet phrase.
It is a scripted lyric from Rat Movie: Mystery of the Mayan Treasure, a Jerma985 comedy video that uses intentionally low-budget visuals and absurd sounds to land the joke.
The Quote Comes From Rat Movie: Mystery Of The Mayan Treasure
The chant appears in the original rat movie title and ties into the joke of the mystery of the mayan treasure plot.
The line “we’re the rats” is delivered as part of a song, which helps it stick in your head.
Who Made It And When It Was Uploaded
Jerma985, also known as Jerma, created the meme.
He uploaded the video to YouTube, where it circulated among fans and later reached a wider audience through reposts, clips, and edits.
Why 3D Movie Maker Matters To The Joke
The video’s homemade look recalls old 3D Movie Maker style creativity.
That clunky, playful presentation makes the chant even funnier, because Jerma delivers the joke with complete confidence inside a deliberately awkward animated world.
What Happens In The Original Video

The original video mixes a mock adventure plot with over-the-top character names and a silly villain lineup.
The appeal comes from how seriously the video treats nonsense, from the giant rat to the final burst of chaotic action.
The Giant Rat And The Opening Song
The opening centers on the giant rat, who appears with dramatic flair and a memorable music cue.
That song sets the tone for the whole video, making the chant feel like part of a larger, ridiculous stage production.
The Thieves And The Mayan Treasure Plot
The story follows a treasure hunt involving mayan treasure and a cast of shady figures like Dick Dastardly Richard, Button-Up Barry, Dr. Digestion, and Gerrard.
Each character has a joke name like those in a parody cartoon, which makes the setup work.
Cat Police, Chaos, And The Ending
The cat police arrive as the situation spirals into chaos, with music pushing everything forward.
By the ending, the video feels like a perfectly paced joke machine.
How The Quote Became A Meme

The chant spread because it is easy to repeat, mock, and remix into new formats.
Once people heard “we’re the rats,” they used it in clips, edits, and joke uploads across YouTube and beyond.
Why The Song Is So Reusable Online
The phrase “we’re the rats” works as a looping hook, so it sounds funny even when repeated alone.
Its rhythm makes it useful for edits, reactions, and short-form jokes built around music and sounds.
Soundboards, Remixes, And Clip Sharing
Fans turned the chant into soundboard material, remixes, and chopped-up clips.
Because the line is clean and recognizable, it travels well in repost culture on YouTube.
How The Sequel Helped Expand The Joke
Interest grew again when people connected the bit to rat movie 2: the movie.
That sequel-era attention kept the phrase visible and gave the meme a second life beyond the original upload.
Why Fans Still Reference It Today

Fans still bring it up because it sits at the center of Jerma’s comedic identity.
The quote also rewards deep-cut familiarity, so it stays alive in fan communities that love absurd references.
Its Place In Jerma Culture
Within Jerma985 and Jerma spaces, the chant works as shorthand for a whole era of offbeat, community-shared humor.
If you know the line, you instantly recognize the style of joke that made it popular.
Other Rat Movie References Fans Recognize
The meme often appears alongside other recurring bits like dog capital and noah’s ark toothbrush.
These references help the Rat Movie universe feel like a shared inside joke. One weird line can open the door to a whole chain of callbacks.