ETYMOLOGY
The phrase gained popularity through the 2006 film Crazy Stone directed by Ning Hao. Huang Bo's character, a bumbling thief, shouted "Ding ni ge fei" during a failed robbery attempt, which went viral due to its comedic delivery.
Its evolution includes three key phases:
Esports streamer PDD frequently used it during live broadcasts, making it a gaming community stapleDouyin creator @CantoneseBro popularized it nationwide through dialect tutorialsIn 2021, milk tea brand Mixue Ice City adapted it into promotional lyrics
Cultural note: The phrase demonstrates how Chinese internet culture softens traditional swear words into playful expressions. Similar to how "bloody hell" became acceptable in British English.