Patrick Warburton Declares Himself the “Original Rawdogger” in Viral Travel Trend Inspired by Seinfeld

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In a hilarious turn of events, Seinfeld alum Patrick Warburton has officially claimed the title of the “original rawdogger,” sparking laughs across the internet and owning up to his unexpected influence on a viral travel trend.

The term “rawdogging,” now a popular Gen Z buzzword, refers to the act of enduring an entire airplane flight without any form of entertainment—no headphones, no books, no sleep—just sheer willpower and a blank stare. The phenomenon has grown so popular that the American Dialect Society even dubbed “rawdog” its 2024 Word of the Year.

Warburton, now 60 and touring with a new stand-up comedy career, posted a humorous Instagram video in March where he reflected on his connection to the trend. The clip features a throwback to a classic scene from Seinfeld’s 1997 episode “The Butter Shave,” where his character, David Puddy, refuses to engage in any activity during a flight, choosing instead to simply stare straight ahead—confusing and irritating Elaine (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus).

“I feel a bit responsible,” Warburton said, tongue-in-cheek, in the video. And fans couldn’t agree more, with many now recognizing Puddy’s deadpan flying habits as the original blueprint for rawdogging.

In a recent chat with Fox News Digital, Warburton embraced the trend’s quirky legacy and reiterated the importance of humor, saying, “We need humor.” With that, the actor-turned-comedian proves once again that even decades later, Seinfeld still has the power to shape pop culture—one unbothered airline passenger at a time.