But this group mentality doesn’t stop at a friendly wave. Now, there is another trend that bonds the community even stronger—it’s called Jeep ducking. When you first hear the term “Jeep ducking,” you may think it has something to do with ducking out of the way of an oncoming Jeep. However, the activity (also known as “Duck, Duck, Jeep”) is much nicer than that (to say the least) and is rooted in kindness. We’ll explain what Jeep ducking actually is and how it got its start. The story is sure to put a smile on your face and maybe even make you want to go out and buy a Jeep of your own! Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
What Is Jeep Ducking?
It all has to do with a little rubber duck bath toy being shared among Jeep drivers. An unlikely combination we know—but that’s all part of the charm. Basically, Jeep drivers leave these ducks on each other’s vehicles, along with sweet notes of encouragement. Talk about putting the pedal to the medal on wholesomeness—this rubber duck Jeep trend has taken over the trails and our own hearts!
How Did Jeep Ducking Get Started?
“Duck, Duck, Jeep” first started in Ontario back in 2020 during COVID. All it took was for one Jeep owner, named Allison Parliament, to decide that she wanted to make another Jeep owner’s day. So, she placed a yellow rubber duck, with a note, on the parked Jeep that she spotted. The intent was to bring a smile to a fellow Jeep owner and to spread a little cheer that people desperately needed during the pandemic. Since the recipient did, in fact, think it was funny, Parliament and her friends decided to continue with the idea. They began “ducking” other Jeeps and also spread the word through Facebook and Instagram. The trend took off like wildfire and now there are over 68,000 members in her Jeep ducking Facebook group. The trend has spread now all throughout Canada, all 50 states, and even countries like Spain and Australia. It just shows how easy it is to get on board with a simple act of kindness!
What Is the Purpose of Ducking a Jeep?
The purpose of ducking Jeeps continues to be a way of spreading kindness. You never know what someone might be going through, and a little yellow duck just has a way of bringing a smile to the face. Plus, people have had fun shopping for Jeep ducks to give away. There is such a huge variety of ducks to represent different careers or personality types—some have even tried matching their duck gift with the personality of the Jeep. What’s more, some drivers have begun naming their Jeeps to leave their specific calling card on the notes that accompany the duck. For instance, one woman named her Jeep “Hedwig” and has a snowy owl decal placed next to the Jeep’s name. On her note, she includes her Jeep name. With such a tight-knit community, there’s a good chance they may see each other again. As the trend has grown, so has its impact. Now, Jeep groups are banding together to take part in parades and charities to bring joy to those outside of their direct community.
“Duck, Duck, Jeep” Rules
There are no hard and fast rules to “Duck, Duck, Jeep.” However, the premise is that one Jeep driver puts a rubber duck on another Jeep with a note as an explainer. When the recipient finds it, he or she should take a picture of it and post the photo on social media with the hashtags #duckduckjeep or #duckingjeep. Then, the duck is passed on to another Jeep to keep it going. Or, if you want to keep your gifted duck, you can buy a new one to give to someone else. If you want to take part in this activity, you just need to get yourself some ducks to carry around with you. People have gotten creative with a variety of styles of ducks, duck keychains, pool floats and more. Of course, you are not obligated to play along. You could just go home with your Jeep duck and take a bath. But, once you realize how that little act of kindness made you feel, you might be tempted to pass it on at least once. That is how this trend has grown to be so big!
What Should the Duck Note Say?
The note that goes along with the duck should include a short note like “Nice Jeep” or “Nice Ride,” along with the statement “You’ve been ducked!” Include instructions to take a picture and post it to social media along with the hashtags to use. Some like to leave a recognizable trait of their own Jeep, like a name, color, emblem or body wrap. And you can add to your note any positive message you’d like to spread some love, maybe including a sweet encouragement or a funny joke!
What Is a Duck Pond?
Some Jeep owners have actually received more than one duck and they will put their collection in the dash area of the Jeep to show their gifted ducks for all to see—this is called a duck pond.
What Types of Jeeps Get Ducked?
Although this trend really started with the Jeep Wranglers, any Jeep brand vehicle could be ducked. So, if you drive a Cherokee or Patriot, don’t be shy. You can definitely take part in the fun and do some ducking of your own. Some Jeeps just seem to be a magnet for ducks as they have been gifted dozens, while others have yet to see their first duck.
Why Are Jeep Owners Such a Tight-Knit Group?
It’s a Jeep thing! There is a sense of camaraderie when you own a Jeep—it involves a knowing or understanding between owners on why a Jeep is so beloved. There are events and clubs where fellow Jeep drivers get together and share stories. The true community lies with the Jeepers who are out trail riding or climbing up rocks or sand dunes. This community then spills over to anyone who owns a Jeep just because it is a cool vehicle.
Funny, Creative Jeep Duck Options for the “Duck, Duck, Jeep” Trend
There’s nothing at all wrong with giving away a classic rubber duck while you’re out and about ducking other Jeeps, but why not arm yourself with some hilarious options that will make the exchange that much funnier? Next Up: 101 Good, Clean Jokes That’ll Make You Laugh Your Pants Off
