Why does this Taco Bell tweet have more than 16,000 retweets?

Taco Bae.

— Taco Bell (@tacobell) April 8, 2014

Looks like the Taco Bell social media staff earned its keep tonight. 16,000-plus retweets, 11,000-plus likes, and a worldwide hashtag trend.

Funny how one bit of Internet slang can set Twitter users’ hearts aflutter.

https://twitter.com/guillfish/status/453377595103793153

https://twitter.com/AndySkelton12/status/453377741341999105

https://twitter.com/_thatAsiangirl/status/453392660015767552

i love how taco bae is trending

— ☠️ (@moxsreigns) April 8, 2014

“@TacoBell: Taco Bae.” I love you.

— Richie Rich. (@That_JonesGirl) April 8, 2014

https://twitter.com/annelisamoody/status/453382581459763200

Yooooo whoever mans the @TacoBell twitter is a genius. They got "Taco Bae" trending ??

— I don’t chase clout. The clout chases me. (@E_Teezey1286) April 8, 2014

Taco Bae tomorrow?

— ThatDudeBryan (@Bryan_Audi) April 8, 2014

https://twitter.com/AKTheBrave/status/453393368974757889

Taco Bae is trending. My hope for humanity is restored.

— Amanda Marie (@amandaaaaplzzz) April 8, 2014

It did cause a few cases of indigestion, though.

Taco Bae is trending. Please excuse me while I lose faith in humanity

— jev from raccoon city (@jevster1995) April 8, 2014

https://twitter.com/SweetFaceTrishy/status/453385507167567872

https://twitter.com/furevernarry/status/453380557150232577