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DFTBA

Don't Forget to Be Awesome, the Nerdfighteria motto and sign-off; John first says it on 2 October 2007, quoting his friend Katie's arm. The brothers credit Katie and in 2013 declined to trademark it. The brothers and viewers also made up other expansions, such as 'Darling, Fetch the Battle Axe' and 'Decepticons Fear the Brilliant Autobots'.

Early context: John signs off, quoting his friend Katie's arm: 'don't forget to be awesome'. — Oct. 2nd: Brotherhood 2.0 on the Road (Literally) 00:02:28

in-group term (motto) · in 86 videos, 2007–2026 · peak 2009 (14 videos) · still in use in 2026

Videos per year: 2007: 4 · 2008: 5 · 2009: 14 · 2010: 6 · 2011: 9 · 2012: 4 · 2013: 10 · 2014: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 4

Forms heard

How the speakers say this one item, as transcribed from the videos, in order of first appearance.

form videos first heard last heard
“don't forget to be awesome” 10 2007-10-02 · Oct. 2nd: Brotherhood 2.0 on the Road (Literally) 00:02:28 2026-02-14 · Project for Awesome 2026 part 4! 05:43:57
“dftba” 62 2007-12-24 · THE NERDFIGHTER HAPPY DANCE PROJECT 00:08:13 2026-05-01 · Despair is Not Wisdom 00:01:27
“ssdftba” 1 2010-04-26 · Nerdfighters, They Named a PLANE After Us 00:01:38
“dftbas” 1 2015-01-06 · AFC Wimbledon v. Liverpool: Thoughts from the Greatest Game on Earth 00:02:54

Every video

2007

date video use what is said
2007-10-02 Oct. 2nd: Brotherhood 2.0 on the Road (Literally) 00:02:28 mention John signs off, quoting his friend Katie's arm: 'don't forget to be awesome'.
2007-10-18 October 18: Live from Datyon: PARTY BLOWER SOLO 00:00:43 mention A Nerdfighter librarian gave John a button that says 'don't forget to be awesome'.
2007-12-24 THE NERDFIGHTER HAPPY DANCE PROJECT 00:08:13 mention The tribute lists what the brothers brought: intelligent humor, blended meals, 'In My Pants', DFTBA, songs on Wednesday, stuff on heads, awesome and togetherness.
2007-12-31 Dec 31: Goodbye Brotherhood 2.0 00:00:40 mention The chorus says goodbye to Brotherhood 2.0, telling viewers the brothers know they will be sad to see it go.

2008

date video use what is said
2008-02-08 QUESTION TUESDAYS (On Friday) 00:03:36 mention If forced to get a tattoo, John would probably get DFTBA on his hand, to remind himself he is supposed to be awesome.
2008-02-19 Your Spying Thieving Valentine: Hank 00:01:57 mention Hank didn't expect valentines this year (2008), but Nerdfighters at the Boston Area Nerdfighter Gathering (BANG) made him a bunch, and some for John with postage included. → Hank: send John the valentines made by the Boston Area Nerdfighter Gathering (2008)
2008-05-18 A CUTETACULAR INTRODUCTION! 00:00:30 mention John shows gifts Nerdfighters brought the brothers in Grand Rapids: a ceramic DFTBA cup and a book called 'Scruffy Teddy Likes to Play in Your Pants'.
2008-10-31 Show 'n Tell Thursday 00:00:25 mention Book-related presents include a dreidel (John recalls the minivan is called that), a Black Santa with 'do not forget to be awesome' on his hand, and a 'real-life minivan' from Phoenix.
2008-11-24 DFTBA Records 00:01:22 mention Hank jokingly claims DFTBA stands for 'digital furry thimble-sized barking animals'.

2009

date video use what is said
2009-02-03 Five Parts 00:02:10 mention Hank shows a Hank sock made by a Nerdfighter and given to him on the Nerdfighter tour, and asks for ideas of what he and the sock could do besides embarrassing-moment sock puppet theater, which was already done.
2009-03-24 Peeps! Prom! Puppy! 00:01:47 mention John asks Nerdfighters to suggest in the comments what else DFTBA could stand for. → John asks Nerdfighters what else DFTBA could stand for (2009) (reported back, 2009-04-23)
2009-03-29 Tiny Chickens Cause Epic Fail 00:01:44 mention John shares his favourite DFTBA expansions other than 'Don't Forget to Be Awesome': Did Four Teletubbies Blind America, Decepticons Fear the Brilliant Autobots, Drink Fruity Tang Before Alcohol, Don't Forget That Bunnies Attack, Dead Frogs Teach Bored Anatomists, Dorks Form the Best Alliances, Darling Fetch the Battle Axe and Dude Find the Best Acronym.
2009-04-01 A Few Of My Favorite Things 00:02:40 mention Hank calls Nerdfighteria his favourite thing and shows Nerdfighters' illustrations of favourite DFTBA acronyms made after John's Sunday request, thanking them.
2009-04-23 DFTBA 00:00:26 mention Hank raps a song, performed with Michael Aranda, made of Nerdfighter-suggested alternative expansions of DFTBA, framed by the refrain asking what DFTBA means.
2009-04-25 Saturday Video?!?!?! 00:01:04 mention Asked who created the original DFTBA acronym, John credits his friend Katie (surname heard as 'Els').
2009-06-23 Fighting the Flame War! 00:01:59 mention Hank explains 'don't forget to be awesome', shortened to DFTBA, as a saying of the community: people sometimes forget to be awesome, so they remind each other.
2009-07-01 Most Subscribed: A Song 00:02:29 mention Hank says the DFTBA shirt he wore in the song is on sale at DFTBA.com; only 200 were made and about 50 sold before he mentioned it.
2009-07-30 Mules are so Half-Ass 00:03:13 mention Hank shows a rap in which every line is an acronym for DFTBA, which people who were not at LeakyCon have never heard in acoustic version.
2009-08-10 HipPOTATOmus 00:01:15 mention John says the Philo Apple Farm definitely doesn't forget to be awesome.
2009-08-24 HAPPY JOHN DAY!!! 00:02:31 mention
2009-12-02 This Machine Pwns n00bs: A Song 00:02:44 mention Hank shows gifts from the tour's final part: a 3D-printed ten-sided die, Kinder Eggs from Canada (after he complained they're unavailable in America), a duct-tape wallet, a bass-amp maker's shirt, a DFTBA headband.
2009-12-17 THE 2009 PROJECT FOR AWESOME!!! 00:02:32 mention John bids farewell to his nerd glasses, sure they are going to a 'Nerdfightastic' home.
2009-12-27 How To Be a Nerdfighter: A Vlogbrothers FAQ 00:01:13 mention After John insists DFTBA is an initialism, not an acronym, Hank says it stands for Don't Forget To Be Awesome.

2010

date video use what is said
2010-04-26 Nerdfighters, They Named a PLANE After Us 00:01:38 mention Nerdfighters with the HP Alliance raised enough to fill four planes with medicine and water for Haiti; the fourth and final plane leaves Thursday, and Partners in Health calls it the SS DFTBA. · “ssdftba”
2010-10-04 The Terrible Burden of Destiny: Chicago and Waupaca 00:01:28 mention John speaks at Waupaca High School and is given a cheesehead; after 10 hours alone talking to people felt weird, but a handmade DFTBA shirt always makes him happy.
2010-10-13 On Hope and Chile 00:01:05 mention John met many Nerdfighters, several of whom have permanent reminders not to forget to be awesome on their bodies.
2010-10-20 Strange Charm: A Song about Quarks 00:01:48 mention Hank says the song is at dft.ba/quarks, made possible by his friends Sam and Alan, who created dft.ba, a URL shortener that reminds people not to forget to be awesome.
2010-11-29 Giant Tortoise Coitus 00:03:06 mention John asks viewers to sign up for the Project for Awesome mailing list at projectforawesome.com, one of the main ways to organize descending on videos about non-profits.
2010-12-27 To: You - - From: The Vlogbrothers 00:00:39 mention Hank asks anyone who got or bought vlogbrothers, DFTBA or Nerdfighter t-shirts to send photos of themselves wearing them to hankandjohn@gmail.com, which may go on the website. → Hank asks viewers to email photos of themselves in vlogbrothers/DFTBA/Nerdfighter t-shirts (2010)

2011

date video use what is said
2011-01-07 CONCUSSED Question Friday 00:00:59 mention To find other Nerdfighters at school, John recommends getting or making a DFTBA shirt; DFTBA means Don't Forget To Be Awesome.
2011-02-09 NERDFIGHTERS UNITE! (in your pants) 00:01:07 mention John sets two rules, for Nerdfighteria and for human existence generally: number one, don't be mean; number two, DFTBA.
2011-05-06 Happy Birthday To Me! 00:01:00 mention A FedEx box arrived full of birthday gifts from Nerdfighters, including his Jayne hat, a taco dinner kit, duct-tape crafts and cards.
2011-05-20 How to Vlog: From the Vlogbrothers 00:01:22 mention Besides Don't Forget To Be Awesome, Hank gives a vlogging rule: Don't Forget To Be Interesting; he sometimes writes scripts so what he says isn't dull.
2011-05-23 Eating the Unicorn 00:02:50 mention John says Tumblr seems to be the top destination for Nerdfighter jokes, Looking for Alaska quotations, DFTBA tattoos, Pizza John jokes and Humpy Hank sites.
2011-09-09 10 Years after September 11th, and Diablo III 00:03:36 mention Hank says anything anyone does with the letters DFTBA, however impermanent, might be seen by another Nerdfighter and make their day.
2011-09-26 Awesome Bankers? 00:00:00 mention John says he will explain credit crunches, why they are so evil, and how Nerdfighteria could dramatically decrease world suck by becoming better bankers.
2011-10-05 SIGNING MADNESS 00:01:24 mention Rather than freak out, John tries to 'keep calm and DFTBA'.
2011-12-14 Greek Phallic Disco Golf Balls: A Free Association Game 00:02:01 mention John jokes that disco golf balls are now available for pre-order at DFTBA.com, then says not really, but viewers can get a Pizza John shirt.

2012

date video use what is said
2012-04-27 Hank Talks to Charlie McDonnell 00:02:05 mention Offered Pinkie Pie on his bicep or DFTBA inside his lip, Charlie says he wants no tattoos: an hour of extreme pain for something no one will see.
2012-07-20 The Universe is Weird: A Song 00:03:10 mention Hank wants to collect DFTBA license plates from all 50 states and asks viewers who have one, or get one, to send a picture to hankandjohn@gmail.com. → Hank asks viewers to send pictures of DFTBA license plates, aiming to collect all 50 states (2012)
2012-07-31 Nerd Olympics 00:00:29 mention John says there is at least one known Olympian Nerdfighter, British gymnast Jennifer Pinches, who did the Nerdfighter sign in front of the world after her floor exercise.
2012-08-14 To Be Anything At All: Thoughts from Places, Chicago and LeakyCon 2012 00:00:00 mention John shows gifts from Brazilian Nerdfighters at LeakyCon: a Brazilian soccer jersey signed by Pelé, who wrote DFTBA on it, and a book hundreds of them read and annotated.

2013

date video use what is said
2013-01-11 On the Ownership of Ideas 00:00:52 mention Hank says that in 2007 John's friend Katie put DFTBA at the end of her to-do list; the brothers took it, popularized it through the vlog, and Hank is proud of and identifies with it.
2013-01-15 An Evening of Awesome at Carnegie Hall 01:59:42 mention In a lightning round the brothers answer quick questions; one says white chocolate is not chocolate, 'it's just candy', and Hank's pearly-gates answer is 'DFTBA!'.
2013-02-15 Baby, Harlem, Obama, Dance Crazes, Big Week 00:02:49 mention Obama tells John that the main thing is to tell the child, whichever name they choose, not to forget to be awesome.
2013-02-19 Doing Things, On the Importance of 00:00:08 mention John and his wife are expecting their second child, whom the President told not to forget to be awesome.
2013-02-26 Cooking with a 3-Year-Old: The Mac & Cheese and Communist Celery Edition 00:03:53 mention
2013-06-11 How To Be John Green 00:01:43 mention Craig makes a 'Nerdfighter clone' to practise talking to Nerdfighters; the clone says DFTBA and is sent to decrease worldsuck in the bathroom with a mop.
2013-07-02 The Perks of Being John's Assistant 00:01:53 mention Rosianna says she is a die-hard West Ham United fan; she admits Steven Gerrard is a very talented Liverpool player, even a little handsome, but feels she betrays her beloved Irons.
2013-08-06 Million Dollar Ideas 00:03:27 mention John says he will never be the brains of the operation but is very grateful to be part of it, and thanks Hank for the gift of VidCon.
2013-11-22 How to Apologize like a Fartbag 00:00:09 mention Hank says Nerdfighteria's slogan of seven years, 'Don't forget to be awesome', is good because it is hard: being awesome needs constant vigilance and everyone will slip up.
2013-12-03 Who Owns DFTBA? An Introduction to Trademarks 00:00:00 mention John says Nerdfighters ask about the 'Don't Forget to Be Awesome' rug at Urban Outfitters: the brothers didn't license it, aren't paid, aren't happy, could stop it but won't.

2014

date video use what is said
2014-03-11 Question Tuesday: TFIOS Movie, Existential Crises, and Symbolism 00:02:06 mention Revealing he is a secret IndyCar fan, John predicts Tony Kanaan will win the Indy 500 for the second time and Will Power will take the series title.
2014-10-14 A Minor Crisis 00:02:26 mention John reports that last week (week of 6 October 2014) the real AFC Wimbledon beat the real Milton Keynes, with the ball coming to Akinfenwa, as the crowd chanted 'who were you when you were us'; he jokes DFTBA on the shorts brings success.

2015

date video use what is said
2015-01-04 The Best Worst Thing 00:00:45 mention John says the AFC Wimbledon scarves with DFTBA on them are back in stock at dftba.com, with all royalties going to the club.
2015-01-06 AFC Wimbledon v. Liverpool: Thoughts from the Greatest Game on Earth 00:02:54 mention John thanks everyone at Wimbledon for hosting them, and everyone who watched the game and sent pictures of the DFTBAs and Nerdfighterias all over the pitch. · “dftbas”
2015-08-21 Book Towers for Miles 00:01:47 mention Choosing the most stylish was hard and subjective; winners include a Nerdfighter sign and DFTBA, a Christmas tree of books, an arched tower of twists, a rocket, and a recreation of Minas Tirith (one of several).
2015-09-15 John Gets a Tattoo 00:00:34 mention John chooses to have the tattoo say DFTBA on his upper arm.
2015-09-29 Writing, Walling, Racing, and Wizard Schooling 00:02:14 mention John tours the wall's relics: Willy, a puppy-sized elephant, a card of Hank humping Peeps, Daniel Biss's 'bloated triangles' paper, an Agloe road map, An Imperial Affliction 'stolen' from the movie set.

2016

date video use what is said
2016-05-24 Easier Than IKEA: A Video in Two Parts 00:02:46 mention John says that on May 30 AFC Wimbledon, wearing DFTBA on their shorts, will play a one-game playoff against Plymouth Argyle at Wembley, a 90,000-seat stadium.
2016-08-30 My Body Is a Broken Temple 00:03:20 mention John points to ticket info in the description, apologizes for not traveling more because he wants to finish the draft, and hopes to see many viewers in Minneapolis, Boston or Cleveland.
2016-09-16 Let's Talk about Failure 00:02:01 mention Hank invites viewers to attend or check out the event in Minneapolis, offering discount code DFTBA for 20 percent or 20 dollars off.
2016-11-15 Good News/Bad News: A Pizzamas Video in Nine Slices 00:01:16 mention John reports AFC Wimbledon, the fan-owned club with DFTBA on their shorts, are three points from a playoff spot seventeen games into their first third-tier season, while the Milton Keynes franchise is in the relegation zone.
2016-12-13 P4A 2016 Hilarity Reprise - OVER $2M RAISED!! 00:00:19 mention A montage of P4A 2016 livestream moments: confetti, Save the Children staff, Big Bird, YouTuber guests, John answering questions and the Cheez Doodles Guy.

2017

date video use what is said
2017-01-03 10 Years on YouTube (...and MORE GREAT NEWS) 00:02:41 mention John notes Wimbledon players wear DFTBA on the back of their shorts, visible live in high definition on Saturday.
2017-06-27 UNBOXING 00:03:08 mention Most sheets are just signed, but about 3% carry a DFTBA, some have yetis drawn by Sarah, a few were circled in hot pink by Alice and several hundred bear Henry's Pokéballs: a family affair.

2018

date video use what is said
2018-04-17 John Green Answers Your John Green Questions 00:01:20 mention John says DFTBA is an initialism for several phrases, including Don't Forget To Be Awesome, Darling, Fetch The Battle Axe, and Dave: Forgotten Through Brotherly Adventures.
2018-06-19 My Signature Move 00:02:35 mention On the other half John writes DFTBA in the infinite shadow created by the Carl, which strikes him as an extremely metaphorically resonant infinite shadow.
2018-07-24 Other John Greens 00:03:39 mention John reminds viewers that their catchphrase, 'Don't forget to be awesome', was invented not by the brothers but by his friend Katie Else in 2007.
2018-11-23 Four Jokes from a Two year Old 00:03:08 mention The first 1,000 items bought from Black Friday on come with a challenge-coin token reading 'Don't forget to be awesome'.

2019

date video use what is said
2019-01-29 Do You Believe in Miracles? 00:01:55 mention The urge to find and share hope is why John writes books, makes videos, gardens and sponsors AFC Wimbledon, the third-tier English team wearing DFTBA on their shorts.
2019-11-19 Kylie Jenner Shows Me What's Wrong with Reddit 00:03:15 mention John says this is why he and Hank have never trademarked 'Don't forget to be awesome' or DFTBA.
2019-12-17 The Best Days of My Decade 00:01:07 mention Next favorite day: May 30, 2016, when AFC Wimbledon, with DFTBA on their shorts, played a play-off final at Wembley for promotion to the third tier.

2020

date video use what is said
2020-10-20 How to Sign Your Name 150,000 Times 00:00:24 mention John's technique: hold the marker loosely (the Sharpie does the work), relax shoulder and neck, and occasionally draw a spiral or write DFTBA to vary the motion and avoid cramping.

2022

date video use what is said
2022-03-04 The 2022 P4A Meme Review!!! 00:17:43 mention
2022-10-14 The Surprise Revelation of NerdfArters 00:00:58 mention Hank runs through early prompts: DFTBA, Pizza John Yourself, Breezy Fall Day (a reference to his second novel), Just the Word Pelican, Surprise Fiddle Concert, Nerdfighteria and Pizzamas.
2022-12-06 AI tells me if AI will write novels. 00:01:27 mention John says it is not the worst vlogbrothers video he has come across; it even knew about DFTBA.

2023

date video use what is said
2023-02-24 The P4A 2023 is The Hottest Club on the Internet 00:14:21 mention
2023-04-11 Wrexham's Most Amazing Feeling 00:01:05 mention John recalls watching AFC Wimbledon, sponsored by them for over a decade with DFTBA on their shorts, win a play-off final against Plymouth Argyle; a crying Plymouth fan answered his condolences with 'Great day for you lot, though.'
2023-12-24 John and Hank Hanging Out but they Keep Getting Younger and More Pixelated 02:18:13 mention John insists DFTBA is an initialism, not an acronym, because acronyms are pronounceable; it stands for don't forget to be awesome.

2024

date video use what is said
2024-08-20 Thoughts from Places: BROMLEY! 00:01:27 mention John admires the new DFTBA logos on the Wimbledon uniform, between left thigh and buttock.

2025

date video use what is said
2025-05-20 The Double 00:01:27 mention John loves fan-owned fourth-tier AFC Wimbledon even more than the Indy 500; the club wears DFTBA on the back of its shorts, between left thigh and buttock.

2026

date video use what is said
2026-02-14 Project for Awesome 2026 part 4! 05:43:57 mention Hank prefers Don't Forget to be Awesome to Darling Fetch the Battle Axe as the meaning of DFTBA.
2026-03-17 Tuberculosis and Hank's Shingles 00:03:24 mention John says Wimbledon wear DFTBA on the back of their shorts between left thigh and buttocks, because when you are in love you do strange things, and he loves AFC Wimbledon.
2026-05-01 Despair is Not Wisdom 00:01:27 mention Hank notes he just happens to be wearing a DFTBA shirt.
2026-07-21 One Must Imagine Sisyphus Happy 00:00:00 mention The description tells New York City viewers that a nerdfighteria presale for the Brooklyn tour show starts Wednesday July 22 at 10 AM eastern, with the password dftba, and asks them to spread the word.