Duolingo Declares the "Death" of Duo the Owl

On the night of February 11, 2025, Duolingo shocked the internet by announcing the "death" of its iconic green owl mascot, Duo. This feathery figure became a viral sensation, notorious for its passive-aggressive reminders to complete language lessons.

True to form, the announcement was laced with humor and sarcasm. The Duolingo team playfully stated that an investigation was underway but hinted that Duo’s demise was due to users neglecting their lessons for too long. They also jokingly asked fans not to bother singer Dua Lipa during this 'difficult time'—a reference to Duo’s well-documented 'obsession' with her.

In a tongue-in-cheek 'obituary,' Duolingo noted:

"We’re aware that Duo had plenty of enemies, but please refrain from listing the reasons for your hatred in the comments. However, if you must share, kindly include your credit card details so we can automatically enroll you in Duolingo Max in his honor."

The post spread like wildfire across social media, sparking reactions from users and brands alike. On X (formerly Twitter), it racked up over 550,000 likes. Many expressed shock and guilt over ignoring their language practice:

Some users even declared the end of an era:

'Years lived: 2012–2025. Rest in peace, dumb owl.'

With all this buzz, one big question remains — will Duolingo unveil a brand-new mascot or undergo a major rebrand? Only time will tell.

Provided by: Polina Laakso