• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Duolingo users baffled after bizarre statement is issued that their mascot is dead

Home> News> Tech News

Published 13:03 12 Feb 2025 GMT

Duolingo users baffled after bizarre statement is issued that their mascot is dead

The internet is in a 'flap'

Tom Chapman

Tom Chapman

The marketing world has changed a lot in recent years, and although we've thankfully still got the likes of Tony the Tiger and Chester Cheetah, Ronald McDonald has been hanging on by a thread since 2016.

Corporate mascots aren't so much of a thing these days, and now, another icon has joined the others in the sky. Although Domino's never officially killed off the Noid, we've seen some pretty gruesome demises. Budweiser's Bud Knight was butchered by The Mountain from Game of Thrones, and who could forget when Planters spectacularly killed off Mr. Peanut in a 2020 Super Bowl commercial? Like Planters resurrected its mascot as 'Baby Nut', these deaths only tend to be temporary, but for Duolingo, we're genuinely concerned about Duo the owl.

An investigation into Duo's 'death' is ongoing (Duolingo)
An investigation into Duo's 'death' is ongoing (Duolingo)

Posting on social media, the popular language learning app confirmed the 'death' of Duo on February 11. Authorities are said to be investigating what happened, with the Duolingo account adding: "Tbh [to be honest] he probably died waiting for you to do your lesson, but what do we know? We’re aware he had many enemies, but we kindly ask you to refrain from sharing why you hate him in the comments."

Advert

It also asked to give Dua Lipa privacy at this time, nodding to how the owl is consistently mistaken for the "Dance The Night" artist.

Skeptics have noted that this lines up with Duolingo's recent marketing strategy where Duo goes viral for threatening you to keep taking your classes, but despite being told not to share your hate of Duo, his critics have dashed to the comments. One wrote, "Thank god!!! now I don't feel guilty for not learning Spanish 🥰, as another cheered: "I’m making wings tonight 😍😋."

Brands also flocked to the announcement, with The Sims, Habbo Hotel, and Merriam-Webster all getting in on the fun. The Just Dance account wrote, "RIP for shaking it too hard 🪦," and KFC France posted an image of some green chicken wings while adding, "Let me cook." Netflix has raised a few eyebrows, with many thinking this is all part of some viral ruse.


Advert


The streaming giant made an Instagram post dedicated to him in the style of a Squid Game elimination. With a caption reading, "Sending my condolences fr (for real)," could this all have something to do with the upcoming release of Squid Game season 3?

For now, Duolingo maintains that Duo is dead and buried. In a statement sent to The Tab, the company said: "We can confirm the statements in our recent social posts are true. It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mascot, Duo the Owl.

Advert

"For years, he tirelessly reminded millions to do their language lessons—sometimes with gentle nudges, sometimes with sheer, unhinged persistence. But even the most relentless of birds can only take so much. Our app icon reflects this tragic loss with ‘Dead Duo’."

Goodnight, sweet prince.

Featured Image Credit: NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty
Social Media
Streaming
Netflix

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
  • Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesKevin Dietsch/Getty Images
    a day ago

    Elon Musk breaks silence on why he didn't attend White House dinner with biggest names in tech

    The former ‘First Buddy’ of President Trump was noticeably absent from the tech dinner

    News
  • bionicsurgeon/Instagrambionicsurgeon/Instagram
    a day ago

    Dark message surgeon sent after having his own legs amputated for chilling reason

    Neil Hopper is currently serving 32 months in jail

    News
  • AerialPerspective Images/Getty ImagesAerialPerspective Images/Getty Images
    a day ago

    People mind blown by 'dystopian' apartment block that houses 30,000 residents

    The Regent International in Qianjiang Century City, China, was originally built to be used as a hotel

    News
  • bionicsurgeon/Instagrambionicsurgeon/Instagram
    a day ago

    Plea made to wife of surgeon who amputated his own legs over concerning social media posts

    He won the Against All Odds title at the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons 2020

    News
  • Streaming platform Kick issues statement following Jean Pormanove's death on livestream
  • Apple users baffled after spotting mysterious purple dot in corner of screen
  • Spotify users furious after app adds bizarre feature 'nobody asked for'
  • New movie with 97% on Rotten Tomatoes breaks record as Netflix's most watched movie ever