TikTok of the Week: Why Won’t Hank Green Tell Us Why We Can’t Eat Grass?

I need to know!

Welcome to the next installment of TikTok of the Week, where we highlight our favourite original TikTok from the past seven days (and give out some honourable mentions, of course).

If this is your first time here, get ready for us to break down our fave TikTok vids for you. 

If you missed last week’s TikTok breakdown on shameless Black Friday shopping, you can catch up here.

So, we won’t leave you hanging any longer.

Here are the videos that got us thinking this week.

This week’s winner is…

So, we’re kind of breaking the rules here. This TikTok actually wasn't posted this week, but it’s a running joke that’s continued throughout November and into December, so we’re giving it a pass (plus it’s hilarious, so it’s fine).

In late October, Hank Green, also known for his Crash Course videos on YouTube and literally being the creator of Vidcon, posted a response video to @howdyhowdyyall1 asking a question about why humans don’t eat grass.

Honestly, @howdyhowdyyall1 kind of makes a valid point: It’s everywhere. We have fields full of it just for aesthetics.

Instead of Hank responding with some sciencey answer that clears everything up for us, he just shut @howdyhowdyyall1 down by yelling, “Don’t eat grass!” four times.

Uh, excuse me sir, why the heck not?

This response video collected thousands of comments from TikTok users begging to know the answer (or threatening to eat the forbidden crop).

“WHY NOT,” replied @howdyhowdyyall1.

“I’m gonna eat the grass,” said @jessandbrina.

Hank then continued to torment us with a series of videos complaining about how he refuses to tell us why we can’t eat grass.

@hankgreen1

Good lord y’all do not let a thing die!!

♬ PiCkLeS - My bday is comin wee woo

@hankgreen1

You’ve got me all turned in circles now...

♬ Originalton - tomsobiech

In this one video, he got close to explaining a few possible reasons but still decided to leave us hanging.

@hankgreen1

Reply to @vitty.with.2.ts WHAT IS GRASS EVEN??

♬ original sound - Hank Green

Before you all start thinking that I actually want to eat grass—listen, I don’t. I just need to know why I can’t, okay?

Some TikTok users have responded by making fun of Hank (hopefully in an effort to get him to spill the beans).

*Warning: This video contains explicit language.*

@kendraaa._.16

@hankgreen1 #grass #yumm #healthy #food #hank #hankgreen #grassy

♬ original sound - Jade

@ethiopianpolice

@hankgreen1 #lawn #lawncare #consumption #eating #eatinggrass #hankgreen

♬ original sound - SensualEthiopianPoliceBrigade

While others tried to take over Hank’s role themselves and explain the science behind it.

*Warning: This video contains explicit language.*

@takingovermidnight

@hankgreen1 did I get it right? #donteatgrass #fyp #hankgreen #foryoupage #science #grass

♬ original sound - Bex

Apparently, it has something to do with the cellulose in grass. Human stomachs have a hard time digesting raw leaves and grasses, whereas animals that eat grass on the regular, like cows, have special stomachs with bacteria that breaks down and essentially eats the grass for them.

While that’s nice to know, I’d really just like to hear it from Hank.

Our honourable mentions go to…

While Hank won the top spot by temporarily ruining our lives, there are some other videos that crossed our radar this week.

First off, there's this video where @bri_xu reveals that the word owl sort of translates to ‘cat head eagle’ in Chinese. Honestly, that description is not wrong at all.

@bri_xu

Reply to @teresaquartz a cat head eagle used to appear on TV licking a Tootsie Pop #asian #chinese #todayilearned #harrypotter

♬ original sound - brian xu

Aaaaand here’s another plug for the Student Edge TikTok, with a video of the SE team laughing now but crying later.

@studentedge

Yes we know they’re supposed to be basketballs pls don’t @ us 🏀 #albumcover #sheslikeyouandme #watchmegrow #laughnowcrylater #fyp #foryou #viral

♬ Trap Sax - arjun 🧞‍♂️

Finally, if you haven’t already given @studentedge a follow on TikTok, check out our account if you’re in need of some good laughs and student advice.

Header Image: @hankgreen1