Just like all the cool kids today, Elmo has been a hot topic on TikTok — and it's not exactly for his iconic laugh. People across all social media swear the little red monster is Black and have coded him as such. He's been heard saying a few words that have people talking online.

In 2015, Elmo made an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon to promote his new cook book for kids. While he's listing off ingredients, he says "balsamic vinegar" (a big word for him) with a particular accent, and the clip has made its way to TikTok.

"Not Elmo saying "vinega'" like he's from the Bronx," said one comment on the clip. "Elmo is black," declared another.

But the speculation doesn't stop there. In another video, actress Hailee Steinfeld sings with Elmo and fellow Sesame Street monster Rosita about learning to solve problems. In a verse of the song "I Wonder. What If? Let's Try!", the trio tries to make a block tower taller even though they've run out of blocks. They decide to use different materials, and Elmo decides to use a paper towel roll.

Something about the way Elmo said "roll" hit different, and it caused users to insist that Elmo is Black. "Elmo turned into someone's memaw," said one commenter.

No one on Seasame Street has confirmed (or denied) Elmo's race (or what race he would be if he were a human), but that hasn't stopped fans from forming their own conclusions. What do you think?