Top 100 best memes of all time
A trip down memory lane, or discovering new memes? A list of the 100 best memes ever!
Top 100 best memes of all time
100
American Chopper Argument
The American Chopper Argument refers to a memorable scene from the reality TV show American Chopper, where Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr. engage in a heated argument over Jr.’s chronic tardiness. First aired in 2009, the intense exchange later inspired a popular exploitable photocomic series used to humorously depict debates within pop culture and fandoms. The meme gained significant traction on Twitter in March 2018, marking its breakout moment.
99
Keep Calm and Carry On
Keep Calm and Carry On is a slogan that first appeared on a British public safety poster during World War II. Rediscovered in 2000 when an original poster was found and displayed in a British bookshop, the phrase gained renewed popularity. Its inspirational tone quickly spread online, giving rise to a series of image macros based on the template “Keep Calm and X.”
98
Dat Boi
About
Dat Boi (a playful pronunciation of “that boy”) is the nickname for a 3D animated green frog riding a unicycle. The character is often paired with phrases like “here comes dat boi!” and “o shit waddup,” which helped propel it to viral fame on social media in early 2016.
Origin
The concept of Dat Boi traces back to July 2014, when FunnyJunk[4] user “tehbestever” shared a photoshopped image claiming a young boy named “Dat Boi” was the “most wanted criminal arrested” under that moniker. The post helped lay the groundwork for the meme’s eventual rise to popularity.
97
Large Adult Son/Absolute Unit
About
Large Adult Sons are a comedic archetype from Weird Twitter, depicting grown men with childish, exaggerated qualities that annoy or embarrass their parents. The term has been humorously applied to figures like the sons of Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump.
Origin
The trend began around 2012 with tweets from the now-deleted @MuscularSon, such as absurd scenarios involving uncontrollable “nerd sons.” It gained further popularity through Dril, who tweeted similar humor, like training “fat identical sons” to guard his office in 2013.
96
The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger
Randall redubbed the National Geographic footage to make it more entertaining, saying, “this animal eats King Cobras, demolishes animals, and this narrator is so boring, so I said, ‘we need to spice this thing up.’” In a 2014 Celebs Daily interview, Randall expressed his admiration for honey badgers, joking, “If I met a real one, I’d probably let it bite my balls off.”
Randall credits his love for animals to his father, a cameraman for Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. While little is officially known about him, the New York Observer reported that a press release for a potential TV show identified Randall as Christopher Gordon, though Gordon’s Twitter account claims he is Randall’s assistant.
95
Woman Yelling at a Cat
Woman Yelling at a Cat (not to be confused with Screaming Cat) is a meme format combining a screenshot of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast members Taylor Armstrong and Kyle Richards yelling, paired with an image of a confused cat sitting behind a dinner plate. The format went viral online in mid-June 2019, and the cat was later identified as Smudge the Cat.
94
Old town road
About
Old Town Road is a 2018 trap song by Lil Nas X that went viral on TikTok, inspiring parodies like “Horses in the Back” and “Yee Yee Juice.” A remix featuring Billy Ray Cyrus was released in April 2019.
Origin
The phrase “yee yee” was defined on Urban Dictionary in 2012 as a country folk exclamation. Lil Nas X uploaded Old Town Road to YouTube in December 2018, where it quickly gained millions of views, reaching 66.4 million by May 2019.
93
"retire bitch"
About
Retire Bitch is a phrase commonly used on Twitter to insult politicians and demand their retirement. It functions similarly to phrases like “Delete Your Account” or “kill yourself” in online discourse.
Origin
The phrase originated from a March 3, 2013, tweet by Danny DeVito, who wrote, “Antonin Scalia retire bitch,” directed at the late Supreme Court Justice. The tweet amassed over 5,500 retweets in four years.
92
Sad Keanu
About
Sad Keanu is a photoshop meme featuring actor Keanu Reeves sitting alone on a park bench, looking sad while eating a sandwich.
Origin
The photo was taken in May 2010 by a paparazzi photographer. It first appeared in a photoshop thread on the Green-ovale.net forum in late May 2010 and later gained traction on 4chan’s boards in early June 2010.
91
"I'm the Juggernaut, bitch"
About
“I’m The Juggernaut, Bitch!” is a catchphrase associated with Marvel Comics character The Juggernaut from X-Men. Originating from a 2005 parody dub of the 1992 X-Men animated series by Randy Hayes and Xavier Nazario of My Way Entertainment, the line became a viral meme in the mid-2000s, similar to GI Joe PSAs. It was later referenced in the 2006 film X-Men: The Last Stand.
Origin
On February 14, 2006, Randy Hayes and Xavier Nazario released a parody dub of the X-Men episode “Phoenix Saga Part 3: Cry of the Banshee” on YouTube. The dub, known for its profanity-laden humor, included the now-iconic line, “Don’t you know who the fuck I am? I’m the Juggernaut, bitch!” The original video was removed due to its language but was reuploaded on October 7, 2007, by a different user, amassing over 8.8 million views and 50,000 likes over the years.
90
Scumbag Steve
About
Scumbag Steve is an advice animal meme featuring a youth in baggy clothes and a sideways fitted cap, often depicted as an opportunistic, freeloading troublemaker in social situations.
Origin
The original photo was taken from the cover of Ma Gangsta, an album by the rap group Beantown Mafia. The first known Scumbag Steve image macros were posted on Reddit on January 21, 2011, where they quickly went viral. A commenter identified the person in the photo as Blake Boston, also known as “Weezy B.” Blake later revealed in an interview that the picture was originally taken by his mother.
89
Trollface
About
Trollface is a meme character with a mischievous grin, representing the facial expression of an Internet troll. It is commonly used in rage comics or online discussions to depict trolling behavior.
Origin
The Trollface was created by Carlos Ramirez, an Oakland-based artist with the DeviantART handle Whynne. It first appeared in an MS Paint webcomic about trolling on 4chan’s /v/ board, uploaded to DeviantART on September 19, 2008.
88
Grumpy Cat
About
Grumpy Cat is the nickname of Tardar Sauce, a snowshoe cat known for her perpetually annoyed expression. She became an internet sensation after photos of her were posted on Reddit in September 2012.
Origin
Grumpy Cat was born in Morristown, Arizona, on April 4, 2012, to her owner Tabatha Bundesen. The first photos of Grumpy Cat were uploaded to Reddit’s /r/pics subreddit by her brother, Bryan Bundesen, on September 23, 2012.
87
The Ice Bucket Challenge
The Ice Bucket Challenge is a viral dare in which participants pour a bucket of ice water over their head and nominate three others to do the same within 24 hours. If the nominee fails, they must donate to charity, typically for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) research and treatment. The challenge gained widespread popularity as a form of awareness for Lou Gehrig’s disease.
86
"Trololo"
About
Trololo refers to a viral video of Russian singer Eduard Khil performing the Soviet-era pop song “I am Glad, ’cause I’m Finally Returning Back Home.” The video became a meme, often used as a bait-and-switch prank, similar to Rickrolling.
Origin
On November 26, 2009, YouTuber RealPapaPit uploaded a video of Khil singing the song, which was originally titled “I am very glad, because I’m finally back home.” Khil, a celebrated Soviet-era vocalist, was known for his unique style of singing called Vokaliz, similar to scat singing. The video was later renamed “Mr. Trololo original upload” and gained over 26 million views and 48,500 comments in eight years.
85
Michael Jackson eating popcorn
About
Michael Jackson was an American singer-songwriter and global pop icon, widely known as the “King of Pop.” Renowned for his stage presence and eccentricity, he remains a polarizing figure due to both his musical legacy and child molestation allegations.
Career
Jackson began performing with his brothers in The Jackson Brothers in 1965, later renamed The Jackson 5. In 1979, he launched a solo career with Off the Wall and reached unprecedented success with Thriller (1983), the best-selling album of all time. Subsequent albums, including Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995), cemented his status as a music legend.
84
Distracted Boyfriend
About
Distracted Boyfriend, also known as Man Looking at Other Woman, is a popular object-labeling meme based on a stock photo where a man glances at another woman while his presumed romantic partner looks disapprovingly.
Origin
The original image, taken by photographer Antonio Guillem, was uploaded to iStock on November 1, 2015, titled “Disloyal man with his girlfriend looking at another girl.” The earliest known captioned meme was posted in a Turkish Facebook group. On January 30, 2017, a Prog Düşmanlarına Verilen Müthiş Cevaplar Facebook page used it to depict Phil Collins choosing pop music over prog music.
.
83
Rebecca Black - Friday
About
Rebecca Black is an amateur YouTube musician who gained fame for her music video Friday. The song went viral in March 2011 due to its repetitive lyrics and heavy use of auto-tune.
Origin
The video was initially uploaded to YouTube on February 10, 2011. It gained widespread attention on March 11, 2011, after being featured by The Daily What.
82
#TheDress
About
#TheDress, also known as What Color Is This Dress?, refers to a viral debate sparked by a photograph asking viewers to identify the dress’s colors as either white and gold or black and blue. The controversy dominated the internet in February 2015, leading to the hashtags #WhiteAndGold and #BlackAndBlue.
Origin
On February 25, 2015, Tumblr user swiked posted the dress photo, asking the science community to explain why people saw different colors. Within 48 hours, the post garnered over 400,000 notes.
81
"Chocolate Rain"
About
Chocolate Rain is a viral video by Tay Zonday performing his self-written and produced song of the same name. The video gained massive popularity, inspiring numerous parodies and remixes, and even led to Zonday making TV appearances and being referenced on South Park.
Origin
Tay Zonday (real name Adam Nyerere Bahner), a grad student from Minneapolis, uploaded Chocolate Rain on April 23, 2007. The song’s cryptic lyrics, like “Chocolate rain, some stay dry while others feel the pain,” puzzled many viewers. Zonday later explained that the song addresses themes of institutional racism.
80
The dab
About
The Dab, or Dabbing, is a hip-hop dance move where one drops their head into the crook of one arm while raising the opposite arm outward, resembling the gesture of stifling a sneeze. Emerging from Atlanta’s hip-hop scene, it gained mainstream attention in 2015 after professional athletes used it as a celebratory gesture.
Origin
The Dab is widely believed to have originated in Atlanta, Georgia, in the early 2010s. The dance’s exact inventor is disputed among Atlanta-based artists associated with Quality Control Music, including Migos, OG Maco, and Skippa Da Flippa. According to Quavo of Migos, the move had been present in Atlanta’s hip-hop scene since 2013 but gained widespread popularity in 2015 through music videos and tracks like Skippa Da Flippa’s How Fast Can You Count It and Migos’ Look at My Dab.
79
Vancouver Riot Kiss
About
The Vancouver Riot Kiss is a meme based on a photograph of a couple kissing on the ground amidst the chaos of the Vancouver riots on June 15th, 2011, after the Vancouver Canucks lost the Stanley Cup final to the Boston Bruins.
Origin
The iconic image was taken by photographer Richard Lam during the Vancouver Stanley Cup Riot. The photograph, which captures the couple kissing while surrounded by riot police, quickly gained widespread attention and became the subject of various photoshop edits online.
78
The Most Interesting Man
About
The Most Interesting Man in the World is an advice animal meme based on the charismatic protagonist of the Dos Equis beer commercials (2006–2018). Known for his refined tastes and worldly adventures, the meme often uses the phrasal template “I don’t always X, but when I do, I Y.”
Origin
The campaign was created by Euro RSCG Worldwide, featuring actor Jonathan Goldsmith as the titular character and narrated by Will Lyman. The character’s iconic lines, including “I don’t always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis,” and “Stay thirsty, my friends,” cemented his status as a cultural icon.
77
"You have died of dysentery"
About
“You Have Died of Dysentery” is a phrase from The Oregon Trail, an educational computer game widely distributed in schools during the 1980s and 1990s. Known for its frequency during gameplay, the quote has since become a nostalgic catchphrase among retro video game enthusiasts.
Origin
The Oregon Trail was developed in 1971 by student teachers at Carleton College in Minnesota as a resource-management game simulating the treacherous westward journey of 19th-century pioneers. Players often encountered setbacks, including disease outbreaks like cholera and dysentery. The message “You Have Died of Dysentery” became iconic for its recurrence in the game, cementing its legacy in gaming culture.
76
"Shit People Say"
About
“Shit People Say” is a series of parody videos exploring social and gender stereotypes using the phrasal template “Shit X says.” The videos were inspired by a single-topic blog and web series titled “Shit Girls Say,” which showcased various cliches and verbal mannerisms commonly associated with teenage girls and young women. The series debuted on YouTube in December of 2011.
Origin
The Twitter account @ShitGirlsSay was launched by Toronto-based comics Graydon Sheppard and Kyle Humphrey on April 7th, 2011. Similar to its predecessors @ShitMyDadSays and @ShitThatSiriSays, the microblog quickly became notable for its caricatured portrayal of an average, airheaded girl, a stereotype familiar to many. According to Twitaholics’ analytics data, @ShitGirlsSay gained over 6,879 followers with 339 tweets in its first three months.
taken by his mother.
75
Slender Man
About
Slender Man (or Slenderman) is a mythical figure depicted as a tall, thin man in a black suit with a blank face. He is said to have tentacle-like appendages and can cause paranoia, memory loss, and other effects. The legend inspired fan art, creepypasta stories, and various nicknames such as The Operator and Mr. Thin.
Origin
Slender Man originated from a 2009 “paranormal pictures” contest on the Something Awful forums, where user Victor Surge (Eric Knudsen) posted images of children with a description of the creature, launching the myth.
74
Recut movie trailers
About
Recut Movie Trailers, also known as “Movie Trailer Remixes” or “Misleading Trailers,” are parody videos that re-edit original film trailers with different music, narration, and out-of-context scenes to create the tone of a completely different genre.
Origin
The earliest known recut trailer was made by an NYU film student in December 2003. Titled “Kill Christ,” it combined footage from The Passion of the Christ (2004) with music and style from Kill Bill, creating an action-packed version of the drama.
73
Wife Guys
About
Wife Guys refers to men who excessively post about their wives online, often to an exaggerated or suspicious degree, as if seeking personal gain. The term gained traction due to a series of humorous controversies in the late 2010s involving such behavior.
Origin
The rise of Wife Guys is linked to the resurgence of the “Borat Voice ‘My Wife'” meme, which highlighted absurdities in heterosexual relationships and the possessiveness of love. Both The New York Times and The New Yorker referenced this cultural moment in explaining the spread of “wife guy” humor, with Jia Tolentino noting its irresistible nature once it becomes familiar.
72
Darude's "Sandstorm"
About
“Sandstorm” is a 1999 trance techno song by Finnish producer Darude. It became widely popular and remains a pre-game anthem and background music in online videos, particularly during League of Legends live streams on Twitch. The song is also often humorously misidentified in comment sections as a trolling practice.
Origin
“Sandstorm” was released on October 26, 1999, by 16 Inch Records in Finland. In 2000, Darude released a music video for the track, featuring scenes of him wearing headphones while witnessing a chase involving a woman and a mysterious case.
71
Is this a pigeon?
About
“Is this a pigeon?” is a quote from the 1990s anime The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird, where the protagonist mistakenly identifies a butterfly as a pigeon. This scene, along with a reaction image featuring the English-translated subtitle, is widely used on Tumblr to express confusion.
Origin
The quote comes from Season 1, Episode 3 of The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird, which aired in Japan in February 1991. In this scene, Yutaro Katori, a human android, misidentifies a butterfly as a pigeon while studying nature. The quote has occasionally been misinterpreted as a translation error, but it is a direct verbatim translation of the original line.
70
"Are you not entertained?"
About
“Are You Not Entertained?” is a famous quote from the 2000 film Gladiator, often used online as a response to lukewarm reception of someone’s actions or contributions. It is typically paired with images of someone posing with outstretched arms, similar to the “Come at me Bro” meme.
Origin
The quote is from a scene in Gladiator where the protagonist, Maximus Decimus Meridius (played by Russell Crowe), defeats several enemies in the gladiator pit and exclaims, “Are you not entertained?” to the crowd.
69
Noice
About
Noice (also spelled Nooice) is an exclamatory version of the word “nice,” used online to show enthusiastic approval or sarcastic praise. It is often associated with Australian or English accents, or used by “bros.”
Origin
While the exact origin is unclear, noice was first defined on Wiktionary on February 1, 2001, as a dialectical version of “nice.” It was later defined on Urban Dictionary by user “Cracka-B A.K.A Billy Blam” on March 16, 2003, who described it as meaning “beyond the regular limits of nice.” The term was also linked to the Beastie Boys’ song Three MCs & One DJ, though this may not be the first recorded use.
68
Kanye Interrupts, Imma Let You Finish
About
Kanye Interrupts, also known as “Imma let you finish,” refers to the infamous moment during Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards when Kanye West interrupted her to declare that Beyonce had “one of the best music videos of all time.”
Origin
On September 13th, 2009, at the 25th annual MTV Video Music Awards, Taylor Swift won Best Female Video for “You Belong With Me.” During her speech, Kanye West interrupted her, stating, “Yo Taylor, I’m really happy for you, Imma let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time… one of the best videos of all time!” He was then booed off the stage, and MTV cut to a commercial before Swift could continue.
67
Arthur's Fist
About
Arthur’s Fist, also known as Clenched Fist, is a reaction image from the children’s show Arthur where the protagonist, Arthur, is shown holding a clenched fist. The image is often paired with captions highlighting frustrating or infuriating situations. It’s most commonly associated with the scene where Arthur punches his sister D.W.
Origin
The image is from Arthur’s Big Hit, Season 4, Episode 1, which aired on September 6th, 1999. In this episode, Arthur is shown clenching his fist in frustration before punching his sister D.W. for breaking his model airplane, which led to the creation of many YouTube poop videos.
66
Haters Gonna Say It's Fake
About
“Haters Gonna Say It’s Fake,” also known as “Haters Gonna Say It’s Edited” or “Haters Gonna Say It’s Photoshopped,” refers to a meme where manipulated images or videos are humorously presented, often with the caption suggesting that critics will claim the content is fake or altered.
Origin
The phrase first appeared on Twitter on June 24th, 2012, when user @_dan19 posted it. However, the original image has since been deleted, making it unclear whether the post was intended ironically or not.
65
Feminist Ryan Gosling
About
Feminist Ryan Gosling is a Tumblr blog featuring image macros of the actor Ryan Gosling, seemingly deep in thought, paired with excerpts from feminist literature. The series presents Gosling as a sensitive and intellectual figure, offering humorous feminist commentary.
Origin
The blog was created by writer Danielle Henderson on October 8th, 2011, as a way to combine her studies in feminist theory and gender studies at the University of Wisconsin with the popular “Hey Girl” meme. The blog was inspired by the earlier Tumblr “FuckYeahRyanGosling,” which featured images of Gosling paired with pick-up lines.
64
Auto-Tune
About
Auto-Tune is an audio-processing software designed to correct pitch and manipulate sound, developed by Antares Audio Technologies in 1997. Initially used subtly for pitch correction, it became widely popular in the music industry, particularly after rapper and producer T-Pain’s heavy use of it in the mid-2000s. The effect is now commonly used for comedic or artistic purposes in various online videos.
Origin
Auto-Tune was originally intended to correct vocal pitch flaws, but it gained notoriety after Cher’s 1998 hit “Believe,” which used the effect to create a distinctive vocal sound. This marked the beginning of Auto-Tune’s rise to prominence in pop music. T-Pain later popularized the exaggerated use of the effect, especially in the 2000s.
63
Fuck it, we'll do it live
About
The Bill O’Reilly Rant refers to a viral video in which television host Bill O’Reilly angrily yells and curses at his coworkers during a taping of Inside Edition. The clip became famous for capturing O’Reilly’s outburst over technical difficulties with his teleprompter.
Origin
On May 12th, 2008, YouTuber OffbeatEarth uploaded a video titled “Bill O’Reilly Flips Out,” which featured the leaked footage of O’Reilly’s tirade. After the original video was removed, YouTuber CrownVictoriaCop reuploaded it the following day. It went on to amass over 2.6 million views and 3,400 comments over the following years.
62
James Van Der Beek crying
About
Dawson Crying, also known as James Van Der Beek Crying, is a popular meme featuring a close-up shot of Dawson (played by James Van Der Beek) from the TV show Dawson’s Creek. The image has been widely used to sarcastically express remorse, sorrow, or pity.
Origin
The moment originates from the season three finale of Dawson’s Creek, titled “True Love,” which aired on May 24th, 2000. In this episode, Dawson tearfully tells his longtime partner Joey to be with their friend Pacey, breaking down emotionally. The meme gained traction when YouTuber notdatbigyet uploaded a video titled “Dawson’s Crying Face” on December 6th, 2006, which has since garnered over 880,000 views.
61
Needs More Cowbell
About
“Needs More Cowbell” is a catchphrase originating from a Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch featuring Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell. The phrase is often used humorously to suggest that something requires more emphasis, or literally, more cowbell.
Origin
The sketch aired on April 8th, 2000, parodying VH1’s Behind the Music series. It fictionalized the studio recording of the 1976 song “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult. Christopher Walken played the eccentric music producer Bruce Dickinson, while Will Ferrell portrayed Gene Frenkle, a fictional cowbell player, famously shouting, “I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!”
60
Netflix and Chill
About
“Netflix and Chill,” often written as “I thought you said Netflix and Chill!” or “20 Minutes into Netflix and Chill,” is internet slang used to imply inviting someone over for sexual purposes. The phrase is commonly used in image macros and as a hashtag on social media.
Origin
The phrase emerged online in late 2014, primarily through Black Twitter. On October 8th, 2014, Twitter user @itsIsaaaaaaac posted the tweet, “Netflix and chill never means Netflix and chill now a days lol” (shown below). This marked the beginning of its widespread use as a euphemism for casual sex.
59
Don't Tase Me, Bro!
About
“Don’t Tase Me, Bro!” is a catchphrase derived from a viral video showing University of Florida student Andrew Meyer being tasered by security after being forcibly removed from a Q&A session with U.S. Senator John Kerry.
Origin
On September 17th, 2007, during a Constitution Day forum at the University of Florida, Senator John Kerry spoke to students. As the event was nearing its end, Andrew Meyer, an undergraduate, criticized Kerry for not answering his questions. After Meyer’s questioning, security personnel began to remove him from the microphone, leading Meyer to shout, “Don’t Tase Me, Bro!” as he was shocked with a taser. The phrase quickly became a viral catchphrase.
58
Delete Your Account
About
“Delete Your Account” is an online slang expression used as an insult, suggesting that someone should leave an online community or social network. It is often seen as a harsh dismissal, comparable to expressions like “go home.”
Origin
The phrase first appeared on Twitter in 2008, with the earliest known usage coming from Darren Mckeeman. On December 24th, 2008, he tweeted at @xianvox, suggesting that MySpace would be a better place without her. This marked the start of the phrase being used in a dismissive or insulting manner online.
57
Ancient Aliens
About
Ancient Aliens is a meme that centers around a series of image macros based on the History Channel’s documentary series of the same name. The memes feature alien expert Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, who is known for his belief that many unexplained phenomena can be attributed to extraterrestrial involvement. These macros exaggerate his views for comedic effect.
Origin
The still shot of Giorgio A. Tsoukalos comes from the History Channel’s Ancient Aliens, a documentary series first airing on April 20th, 2010. The series explores the idea that aliens visited Earth in the past, with Tsoukalos often presenting these theories. The memes highlight and humorously exaggerate his belief in extraterrestrial influence.
56
Tom Cruise Jumps on Oprah's Couch
Origin
On May 23rd, 2005, Tom Cruise appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, originally to promote the upcoming film War of the Worlds. However, the moment became iconic when Cruise excitedly jumped on Oprah’s couch, exclaiming his love for Katie Holmes and declaring, “I’ve never felt this way.” His over-the-top display of emotion quickly became a viral moment, sparking widespread media coverage and turning into a popular meme.
55
Confused Nick Young
About
Confused Nick Young, also known as Swaggy P, refers to a reaction image featuring NBA basketball player Nick Young with question marks surrounding his head. The image became widely popular on Black Twitter as a way to express confusion, particularly during the 2015 Drake and Meek Mill feud.
Origin
On July 22nd, 2014, YouTuber Cassy Athena uploaded an episode of the web series Thru The Lens, where Nick Young is shown making a confused expression after his mother calls him “a clown” from his younger years. The moment, accompanied by question marks, was screen-captured and shared widely across social media, solidifying it as a go-to reaction image for confusion.
54
Ceiling Cat
About
Ceiling Cat is a photoshop meme featuring an image of a cat peeking through a hole in the ceiling. The meme became widely popular on the internet, leading to the creation of several derivative characters, including its nemesis Basement Cat and Basement Horse.
Origin
The origin of the photograph remains uncertain, with various claims regarding the cat’s ownership. According to Encyclopedia Dramatica, the cat belongs to a Wikipedia user named Samguana, although this has not been verified. In May 2012, a Something Awful poster named Quarex claimed they knew the cat’s owner and posted a similar photo from a different angle. The poster also mentioned that the cat had passed away in 2010.
53
Casually Pepper Spray Everything Cop
About
Pepper Spray Cop (also known as “Casually Pepper Spray Everything Cop”) is a photoshop meme based on a photograph of a police officer nonchalantly pepper spraying a group of Occupy protesters at the University of California, Davis, in November 2011. The image became iconic due to the officer’s calm demeanor while using pepper spray on seated protesters, leading to widespread use in online memes and image macros.
Origin
The photograph was taken on November 18th, 2011, during an Occupy protest at UC Davis. The officer, later identified as Lt. John Pike, was photographed casually walking down a line of seated protesters while spraying them directly in the face. The image quickly went viral, with the officer’s nonchalant expression fueling the creation of various parodies and memes across the internet.
52
Planking
About
Planking is a photo fad where individuals lie face down with their arms at their sides in unusual public places, photograph the scene, and then share the image online. The pose bears a striking resemblance to the Lying Down Game, which became popular among UK Facebook users in 2010.
Origin
The trend began gaining significant popularity in March 2011 when pro-rugby player David “Wolfman” Williams planked after scoring a try during a match between the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Newcastle Knights on March 27th, 2011. The term “planking” itself was coined in 2008 by Paul Carran, a New Zealander living in Sydney, Australia, after learning about a similar game being played by friends in the UK.
51
#First World Problems
About
First World Problems, also known as “White Whine,” refer to frustrations and complaints that are typically experienced by privileged individuals in wealthy countries. These are often trivial inconveniences, and the term is commonly used humorously to highlight how insignificant these issues are compared to more serious struggles in less affluent regions.
Origin
The earliest known reference to “first world problems” appears in the 1995 song “Omissions of the Omen” by the Canadian alt-rock band Matthew Good Band. In the song, the lyrics state: “And somewhere around the world / Someone would love to have my first world problems.” This track was included as a bonus on their debut album Last of the Ghetto Astronauts.
50
Smash Mouth's All Star
About
“All Star” is a 1999 alternative rock song by Smash Mouth, best known for its use in the Shrek franchise. The song has gained significant popularity in online meme communities, often referenced ironically, and has been widely remixed, covered, and parodied.
Origin
Released on May 4th, 1999, as the second single from Smash Mouth’s album Astro Lounge, “All Star” became one of the band’s most successful hits, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August of that year. The song was also featured in the soundtrack for the 1999 superhero comedy Mystery Men. In 2001, Shrek used “All Star” in its opening sequence, cementing the song’s lasting association with the film.
49
That's What She Said
About
“That’s What She Said” is a phrase often used to inject humor into statements that sound sexual or double entendre when taken out of context. It has gained popularity through its use in image macros, web comics, and viral videos online.
Origin
The phrase was first popularized by Canadian comedian Mike Myers in the 1992 comedy film Wayne’s World. In the movie, Wayne responds to his sidekick Garth with the phrase while filming a local access television show in his basement.
48
Are Ya Winning, Son?
About
“Are Ya Winning, Son?” is a popular exploitable image series that originates from a webcomic. In the comic, a father walks in on his son playing a hentai virtual reality game and asks, “Are ya winning, son?” The phrase has since become a meme used to humorously depict awkward or embarrassing situations.
Origin
The exact origin of the comic is unclear, but it is believed to have originated from 4chan, where the name “Anon-kun” was used, a reference to the site’s anonymous users. On January 11th, 2014, the comic was posted in an Oculus Rift thread on the RPG Codex Forums, which helped popularize it.
47
Star Wars Kid
About
Star Wars Kid refers to Ghyslain Raza, a Canadian teenager who became an internet sensation after a video of him pretending to fight imaginary foes with a golf-ball retriever, mimicking Darth Maul’s double-sided lightsaber from Star Wars: Episode I, was uploaded online. The video has since become one of the most-viewed and widely shared videos in early meme history.
Origin
On November 2nd, 2002, Raza filmed an 8mm video of himself using a golf-ball retriever as a lightsaber in a high school studio. He forgot to take the tape home, and his classmates discovered the footage. They posted it online via Kazaa, a popular peer-to-peer file-sharing network, on April 14th, 2003, which led to its viral spread.
46
Obama "Hope" Posters
About
The Obama “Hope” Poster is a famous image of Barack Obama, created by graphic designer and street artist Shepard Fairey, during the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The image, based on a stylized version of an Associated Press photograph of Obama, was used as an unofficial campaign tool, with its red, beige, and blue color scheme becoming iconic. After its viral spread, many parodies of the poster featuring other notable figures and characters emerged.
Origin
Shepard Fairey began his street art career in 1989, with the viral Andre the Giant Has a Posse campaign, which evolved into the OBEY sticker project. In October 2007, publicist Yosi Sergant suggested Fairey create artwork to support Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Fairey used a 2006 photo of Obama by Mannie Garcia as the base for his stenciled image, initially creating a version with the word “Progress” under the portrait.
45
Dick Butt
About
Dick Butt is a humorous and absurd illustration of an anthropomorphic figure, featuring a pair of testicles and a penis protruding from its backside. The image is often used in multi-pane image macros or animated GIFs, with the drawing being revealed unexpectedly in the final frame for comedic effect.
Origin
The character first appeared on July 2nd, 2006, in a webcomic by artist K.C. Green titled “Tree. You’ve Been Good to Us,” as part of his Horribleville series. In this comic, the Dick Butt character is drawn after being scolded for wasting tree resources as a child.
44
Shirtless Putin
About
Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician who served as the second president of Russia from 2000 to 2008 and as its prime minister from 2008 to 2012. After winning the 2012 presidential election, he became the first Russian politician to serve three terms in office. A former KGB officer, Putin has cultivated a strong cult of personality in Russia, and is often portrayed as a tough, authoritative figure both in the political sphere and online.
Online History
Vladimir Putin’s online reputation has been shaped by his strong, often intimidating image, which has been embraced by meme communities. Known for his displays of strength, confidence, and decisiveness, he has been meme-ified as a “badass,” often depicted in humorous and exaggerated ways on the internet. His internet persona includes iconic images of him shirtless, riding horses, or engaging in tough activities, further solidifying his larger-than-life status in popular culture. His leadership and style have been subject to parody, with internet users frequently embracing his tough persona in memes and jokes.
43
Thanks, Obama
About
“Thanks, Obama!” is a sarcastic expression used to criticize or humorously blame President Barack Obama for trivial inconveniences or personal problems. The phrase is often used in a satirical context, suggesting that Obama’s policies or actions are somehow responsible for minor issues that have little or no connection to his administration. It is commonly featured in image macros, GIFs, and memes, usually to mock those who place blame on the president for things outside his control.
Origin
The phrase “Thanks, Obama!” began circulating after a post on the conservative political blog Authentic Connecticut Republican on December 17th, 2009. The post featured a demotivational image of a young girl making a “middle finger” gesture, with the caption “Thanks, Obama.” This use of the phrase sparked a broader trend of people online sarcastically attributing mundane problems or personal grievances to the Obama administration, even when they were unrelated.
42
Futurama Fry
About
Futurama Fry is an image macro featuring a still of Fry from the TV show Futurama, where he squints his eyes. The meme uses the format “Not sure if X” at the top and “or just Y” at the bottom, often to express confusion or an internal dilemma.
Origin
The image is from Season 2, Episode 6 of Futurama, titled “The Lesser of Two Evils.” Fry makes the squinting expression after being caught searching Leela’s underwear drawer around 15 minutes into the episode.
41
Gangnam Style
About
Gangnam Style is a 2012 dance pop song by South Korean artist PSY. The music video, featuring PSY’s iconic dance moves, became a global sensation, spawning parodies and reaching over a billion views on YouTube, surpassing Justin Bieber’s “Baby.”
Origin
The song was released on July 15, 2012, as the lead single from PSY’s sixth studio album, PSY 6 (Six Rules), Part 1. Known for his humor and quirky moves, PSY’s “Gangnam Style” quickly became a viral phenomenon.
40
???? PROFIT!!!!
About
???? PROFIT!!!! is a meme mocking incomplete plans, where steps are listed but one key part is replaced with question marks, ending with “PROFIT!!!” It highlights illogical or vague strategies.
Origin
The meme comes from a 1998 South Park episode where gnomes outline their plan:
- Collect underpants
- ???
- PROFIT!!!
The missing step satirizes plans that lack clarity or substance.
39
Ate My Balls
About
Ate My Balls is an early internet meme series featuring characters, often from comics or TV, humorously describing their love of balls. The images typically have low-quality, rudimentary captions, reflecting the technological limitations of the time (like MS Paint and dial-up modems).
Origin
The meme originated with a website created by Nehal Patel, a University of Illinois student, in 1996. The site, Mr. T Ate My Balls, featured Mr. T and other characters expressing their affection for balls. Though many of these early websites have since shut down, cached versions of the original content can still be found.
38
Duck Face
About
“Duck Face,” also known as “Myspace Face,” is a term used to describe a facial expression where a person presses their lips together into the shape of a duck’s bill. This expression became popular in selfies, particularly among teenage girls on social networking sites like Myspace and Facebook.
Origin
The “Duck Face” trend emerged with the rise of social networking sites like Myspace in the early 2000s. As Myspace gained popularity in 2005, users posted selfies featuring this facial expression. The term “Myspace Face” was first defined on Urban Dictionary in 2006, and “Duck Face” followed shortly after in 2006, describing the signature pouty expression.
37
Success Kid
About
“Success Kid,” also known as “I Hate Sandcastles,” is a reaction image featuring an 11-month-old baby with a smug expression. The image is often used in image macros to symbolize success, triumph, or situations where things go better than expected.
Origin
The original photo was taken by photographer Laney Griner of her son Sammy on August 26th, 2007. She shared the image on her personal Flickr account and Getty Images. The image became popular online in early 2011 when it was turned into an “advice animal” meme with captions reflecting positive outcomes or unexpected successes.
36
Bye Felicia
About
“Bye Felicia” is a quote from the 1995 comedy film Friday, often used online as a dismissive or uninterested farewell.
Origin
The line is delivered by the character Craig Jones (played by Ice Cube) when a character named Felicia asks to borrow a car and marijuana. Craig dismisses her with the phrase “Bye Felicia.” The phrase gained popularity after a clip from the movie was uploaded to YouTube on March 11th, 2007, where it garnered widespread attention and became a meme used to dismiss people or things that are deemed unimportant.
35
Philosoraptor
About
Philosoraptor is an image macro series featuring an illustration of a Velociraptor, often paired with captions that depict the dinosaur contemplating deep philosophical questions or exploring paradoxes.
Origin
The original illustration of Philosoraptor was created by Sam Smith and was released on October 8th, 2008. It was initially sold as a T-shirt design on the online retailer Lonely Dinosaur. The meme became popular as it was paired with humorous or thought-provoking questions, often poking fun at the complexity of philosophical concepts.
34
The Grinch 'Knee Surgery Tomorrow'
About
“That Feeling When Knee Surgery Is Tomorrow” or “Blue Grinch Knee Surgery” refers to a series of ironic memes, typically featuring excited or happy characters like a blue Grinch, with the caption “That feeling when knee surgery is tomorrow.” These memes are characterized by their oddly specific nature and humorous juxtaposition of joy or anticipation with an event like knee surgery.
Origin
The first known meme of this type appeared prior to April 2021 on MemeCreator.org, featuring a squirrel with its arms raised, captioned, “That feeling when knee surgery is tomorrow.” The meme gained further traction in mid-2021 and went viral in 2022, especially with a blue Grinch version circulating online. On April 6th, 2021, an Instagram user named stupid.fricken.meme shared a cropped version, amassing over 1,300 likes in two years.
33
Hitler reacts "Downfall"
About
“Downfall,” also known as “Hitler Finds Out…” or “Hitler Reacts To…,” refers to a series of parody-subtitled videos based on a key scene from the 2004 German film Der Untergang (The Downfall). The scene shows Adolf Hitler, portrayed by Bruno Ganz, in a dramatic breakdown after realizing Germany’s defeat in World War II. Online, the scene was widely remixed with humorous and topical subtitles, making it a popular meme format for expressing frustration or shock over various events.
Origin
Der Untergang (2004) is a German war drama depicting the last days of Adolf Hitler in his Berlin bunker. In the film’s climax, Hitler is informed of Germany’s inevitable defeat and reacts with fury. This intense moment was first parodied in 2006 by YouTuber Edilson66, who uploaded an edited version with Portuguese subtitles. The video quickly became a template for countless parodies, with users replacing Hitler’s frustration with reactions to modern events or trivial matters, solidifying its place as a popular internet meme.
32
Double Rainbow
About
“Double Rainbow” refers to a viral YouTube video where Paul Vasquez, under the username Hungrybear9562, expresses overwhelming awe and emotion upon witnessing a double rainbow in Yosemite National Park. The video became famous for its heartfelt and dramatic reaction, with Vasquez crying in the background as he marvels at the beauty of the rare phenomenon.
Origin
The video, titled Yosemitebear Mountain Giant Double Rainbow 1-8-10, was uploaded on January 8th, 2010. Initially unnoticed, it gained widespread attention after being featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live, which led to its viral success. The video has since become an iconic example of internet enthusiasm, spawning parodies, remixes, and widespread meme culture.
31
Numa Numa
About
“Numa Numa” is a viral video created by Gary Brolsma, in which he lip-syncs and performs a dance to the song “Dragostea din tei” by the Moldovan group O-Zone. The video gained significant attention for Brolsma’s energetic performance and expressive facial reactions, becoming one of the earliest viral internet sensations.
Origin
Brolsma uploaded the video, titled “Numa Numa Dance,” to the website Newgrounds on December 6th, 2004. It quickly gained popularity, with millions of views and numerous parodies and re-enactments. The video later spread to YouTube, where it accumulated over 49 million views by 2012.
30
Ermahgerd
About
“Ermahgerd” is a meme that features a photo of a young girl holding several Goosebumps books with a wide-eyed, excited expression, paired with captions written in a phonetically altered version of “oh my god,” resembling a speech impediment caused by an orthodontic retainer. The captions often follow the template “Ermahgerd X,” where “X” refers to a person, thing, or event.
Origin
The meme originated on March 14th, 2012, when a photo of the girl with three Goosebumps books was shared on Reddit with the caption “Gersberms / Mah fravrit berks.” The image quickly went viral after being reposted, including on Quickmeme, and reached the front page of Reddit within two weeks, accumulating over 17,000 upvotes.
29
It's A Trap!
About
“It’s A Trap!” is a catchphrase from the Star Wars character Admiral Ackbar, first appearing in the 1983 film Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. The phrase has become a popular reaction image or GIF used online, often in humorous contexts, such as warning about potential danger or in reference to situations involving sexual ambiguity or “traps” (a term controversially used for transgender individuals or ambiguous gender presentations).
Origin
The phrase originates from a scene in Return of the Jedi, where Admiral Ackbar (voiced by Erik Bauersfeld) warns his fleet about an ambush during the Battle of Endor, shouting “It’s a trap!” This line has since become one of the most iconic and beloved quotes from the Star Wars original trilogy.
28
Roll Safe
About
Roll Safe is an image macro series featuring a screenshot of actor Kayode Ewumi, portraying the character Reece Simpson (a.k.a. “Roll Safe”) in the web series Hood Documentary. The image, showing Ewumi grinning and pointing to his temple, is often used to humorously highlight poor decision-making or flawed logic in a situation.
Origin
The meme originated on June 1st, 2016, when the BBC Three YouTube channel uploaded a mini-documentary about Hood Documentary. In the clip, Simpson points to his head while humorously explaining that he finds a woman “beautiful” because she “has good brains,” making a joke about her performing oral sex. The video quickly gained popularity, amassing over 1 million views and becoming a viral meme.
27
Peanut Butter Jelly Time
About
Peanut Butter Jelly Time (PBJT) is a flash animation featuring a dancing banana character set to the song “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” by The Buckwheat Boyz. The video is known for its catchy, obnoxious nature and became a viral sensation in the early 2000s, inspiring numerous parodies, tribute videos, and even merchandise.
Origin
The original PBJT flash animation was created by Ryan Gancenia Etrata and Kevin Flynn, who used the screen names RalphWiggum and Comrade Flynn. It was first posted to the Offtopic forums in early 2002, quickly gaining popularity and becoming an internet staple.
26
Herp Derp
About
Harp Darp (also known as “Herp Derp”) is a rage comic face and expression used to mock someone perceived as unintelligent or making foolish statements. It is derived from the internet slang “derp,” which signifies stupidity or awkwardness. The phrase can also serve as a placeholder for missing or forgotten information in online conversations.
Origin
The Harp Darp face first appeared in a comic titled “Rage Comic FFUU,” where the face itself is criticized for being poorly drawn. This comic was posted to the f7u12 subreddit on May 11th, 2010. Later, on October 11th, 2010, the term “harp darp” was used in another Reddit post with the same rage face, titled “Harp Darp poop on my car,” where it humorously accompanied a photo of bird droppings.
25
Harambe
About
Harambe the Gorilla was a 17-year-old Western lowland silverback gorilla who gained widespread attention after being shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo in May 2016. The incident occurred when a child fell into Harambe’s enclosure, and the gorilla began dragging the child around. The decision to shoot Harambe was met with intense debate and criticism, with many blaming the child’s parents for the tragedy.
Origin
On May 28, 2016, a 4-year-old boy entered the gorilla’s enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo. Harambe, who had been in the zoo’s care, interacted with the child by dragging him through the enclosure. To protect the child, zoo officials made the controversial decision to shoot Harambe. Footage of the incident, uploaded by YouTuber maxi, went viral, accumulating millions of views before being taken down, though it was quickly re-uploaded by others. The incident sparked widespread outrage and led to Harambe becoming an internet meme and symbol of animal rights debates.
24
Kermit the Frog
About
Kermit the Frog is a famous frog puppet created by American puppeteer Jim Henson. He is best known for his roles on The Muppets and Sesame Street and has become an iconic figure in pop culture. Kermit is also the subject of numerous internet memes, such as “Kermit Drinking Tea,” “Evil Kermit,” and “Kermit Falling Down a Stairwell.”
Origin
Kermit’s first appearance was on the 1955 television show Sam and Friends, where he wasn’t initially intended to be a frog but evolved into one in the 1960s. He became a staple on Sesame Street in the 1970s as a news reporter and later gained fame as the host of The Muppet Show. Over the years, Kermit has starred in several Muppet films, including Muppet Treasure Island (1996) and The Muppets (2011).
23
Drake
About
Drake, the stage name of Canadian artist Aubrey Drake Graham, is a multi-talented performer known for his role as Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation and for his successful music career. As a rapper, singer, and songwriter, he has become one of the most influential figures in contemporary hip hop and pop music.
Online History
Drake’s online presence began in March 2007 with the launch of his official Twitter account. He followed this with the creation of his official Facebook page on May 23, 2009. His official website, featuring biographical information, music, and tour dates, was launched shortly thereafter. By October 2013, Drake had amassed over 12.7 million followers on Twitter and 31 million likes on Facebook, solidifying his status as a major social media presence.
22
You're The Man Now, Dog
About
YTMND (You’re The Man Now, Dog) is an online platform and community where users create and share humorous remixes, parodies, and multimedia-based memes. These creations typically feature a still image or animated GIF with overlaid text and a looped audio track, often to comedic or ironic effect.
History
The phrase “You’re the man now, dog!” originates from the 2000 film Finding Forrester, where the character William Forrester (played by Sean Connery) says this line. The quote became iconic and was later adopted by the YTMND community, which launched the website in 2001 as a place to create and share such meme-like content. This phrase quickly became a central element of the site, influencing internet culture and meme formats for years.
21
Chuck Norris Facts
About
Chuck Norris, born Carlos Ray Norris on March 10th, 1940, is a renowned martial artist, actor, and pop culture icon. He is best known for his role in the TV series Walker, Texas Ranger and for his famous fight with Bruce Lee in Way of the Dragon. Over time, Chuck Norris has become synonymous with toughness, strength, and invincibility, particularly in his portrayal of heroic, fearless characters.
Meme
The Chuck Norris Facts meme emerged in the mid-2000s, showcasing exaggerated and humorous “facts” that describe his superhuman abilities, typically centered around his toughness and manliness. These “facts” claim that Norris
20
Crying Michael Jordan
About
Crying Michael Jordan is a popular meme based on a viral image of Michael Jordan crying during his 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech. The image, originally taken from a tearful moment in the speech, has been widely used across the internet to express sadness or disappointment, particularly in sports-related contexts.
Origin
On September 11th, 2009, Michael Jordan delivered his Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech, where he became emotional while reflecting on his career. The moment, in which Jordan was visibly crying, was captured and later turned into a widely circulated image. The “Crying Michael Jordan” image became a meme as fans began using it to humorously convey sorrow or defeat, especially in response to the losses of their favorite sports teams.
19
Nigerian Scams
About
Nigerian Scams refer to a type of advance-fee fraud, typically carried out through email or other digital communication, where the scammer claims to be a wealthy individual or official in need of financial help. The scammer convinces the victim to send money with the promise of receiving a larger sum in return, but the promised payment never materializes. Despite being called “Nigerian scams,” they are not exclusively associated with Nigeria.
Origin
The modern form of the Nigerian scam, also known as the 419 scam, traces its roots back to the 1970s and 1980s during the Second Nigerian Republic. The scam often involved letters from supposed royals or government officials claiming they needed financial assistance to access a larger fortune. The scam dates back even further to the 19th century, where similar confidence tricks were known as The Spanish Prisoner. The scam has evolved with technology and is now commonly spread through spam emails.
18
Nyan Cat
About
Nyan Cat, also known as Pop Tart Cat, is a viral 8-bit animation featuring a cat with the body of a cherry Pop-Tart flying through space, leaving a trail of rainbows behind it. The combination of surreal elements like a flying cat and a Pop-Tart cat body created a quirky and absurd humor that resonated with internet users. It has since become a widely recognized meme, inspiring fan art, remixes, and even video games.
Origin
The Nyan Cat animation was created by Chris Torres (known online as prguitarman) and posted on LOL-COMICS on April 2nd, 2011. The drawing was based on his Russian Blue cat, Marty, and was inspired by two separate suggestions for a cat and a Pop-Tart during a Red Cross charity drawing event. The GIF quickly gained popularity, with Tumblr reblogs and posts spreading it widely, earning over 3,000 notes in its first two weeks.
17
Demotivational Posters
About
Demotivational Posters, also known as Demotivators, are parody versions of traditional motivational posters. These posters are designed to mock the overly optimistic and inspirational messages typically found in workplaces or schools. They often feature a picture with a humorous or cynical caption that highlights failure, discouragement, or the futility of trying to succeed, all meant to diminish motivation rather than boost it.
Origins
The concept of Demotivational Posters is widely credited to Despair Inc., a company that began creating these spoof posters in 1998. Despair Inc. first produced satirical posters mocking the typical “motivational” ones often found in corporate offices, using dark humor to subvert the usual messages of positivity and perseverance. Their first collection of Demotivators became highly popular, establishing the format that would later become an iconic meme.
16
Emojis
About
Emojis are graphical images or icons that represent various facial expressions, objects, symbols, and even concepts. They are commonly used in digital communication to express emotions, ideas, or phrases visually. Emojis are often used in SMS, social media, and instant messaging platforms, serving as a more expressive alternative to text alone. They share similarities with emoticons (which use characters to represent emotions) but are much more versatile and visual.
Origin
Emojis were created by Japanese mobile software engineer Shigetaka Kurita in 1998. He developed the first set of 172 symbols, each fitting within a 12×12 pixel square, to be used in NTT DoCoMo’s mobile internet service called i-mode. This release took place in February 1999, marking the official introduction of Emoji. The service quickly became popular, reaching 40 million subscribers by 2004, and other companies in Japan followed suit by developing their own versions of similar characters. Emojis would later spread globally, becoming a standard form of digital communication across platforms.
15
Dramatic Chipmunk
About
Dramatic Chipmunk (or Dramatic Prairie Dog) is a viral meme featuring a prairie dog turning dramatically toward the camera with a surprised expression, often accompanied by intense music. It’s used to highlight moments of shock or surprise.
Origin
The clip first appeared on the Japanese TV show Hello! Morning in 2007. It quickly went viral after being uploaded to YouTube, where the prairie dog’s dramatic turn became a popular meme, often remixed for humorous effect.
14
LOLcats
About
LOLcats are image macros featuring cats with humorous captions written in “lolspeak,” a form of broken English. These images often depict cats in funny or cute situations and have been widely shared online.
Origin
The meme originated on the imageboard 4chan in 2005, when an anonymous user posted a picture of a cat awaiting “Caturday.” The concept of Caturday, a weekly tradition celebrating cat-related content, gained further popularity through sites like I Can Has Cheezburger.
13
Bert is Evil
About
Bert is Evil is a photoshopping trend where the Sesame Street character Bert is inserted into disturbing or disaster scenes, such as the JFK assassination and the Oklahoma City bombings. The meme, often darkly humorous, gained significant attention, especially in 2001.
Origin
The meme began in 1998 as a website created by Dino Ignacio, who posted edited images of Bert with humorous, often absurd backstories. As the site gained a cult following, it became too expensive to maintain, so Ignacio allowed others to host mirror versions of it. The meme’s visibility grew, especially after a photograph surfaced in 2001 showing Bert alongside Osama bin Laden’s image during a protest in Bangladesh.
12
Awkward Look Monkey Puppet
About
Awkward Look Monkey Puppet is a meme featuring two images of a monkey puppet named Kenta from the Japanese children’s show Ōkiku Naru Ko. In the meme, the puppet awkwardly looks towards the camera, then looks away, creating a humorous or uncomfortable reaction. The side-eye glance was not part of the original scene but was added through Photoshop when the meme was created in 2016. It gained widespread popularity in 2019, especially in Spanish-speaking meme communities.
Origin
The show Ōkiku Naru Ko aired from 1959 to 1988, and in 1984, it was dubbed into Spanish as Niños en Crecimiento for Latin American audiences. The meme specifically uses images of the character Kenta (known as Pedro in the Spanish version). The clip that sparked the meme was uploaded by YouTuber Vart vartmaz in 2008, featuring multiple shots of Pedro in profile, which later became a source for the viral images.
11
FAIL
About
“FAIL” is a term that gained widespread popularity on the internet in the early 2000s, often used in image macros and short videos to highlight situations where things go wrong or when a person makes a mistake. While the word traditionally means the opposite of “succeed,” it has evolved into a common interjection used to point out errors, no matter how minor or significant.
Origin
The term “FAIL” first appeared in 1998 in the Japanese scrolling shooter game Blazing Star. The game featured a grammatically incorrect “game over” message that read, “YOU FAIL IT! YOUR SKILL IS NOT ENOUGH- SEE YOU NEXT TIME- BYE BYE.” This phrase quickly became a joke in gaming communities and eventually led to the widespread use of “FAIL” as an internet meme.
10
E
About
Lord Marquaad E, also known as Lord Farquaad / Markiplier E, is a deep-fried image meme that combines the face of YouTuber Markiplier with the head of Lord Farquaad from the Shrek movie. The image often features the letter “E” in impact font overlaid on the photo. Over time, the meme was edited and remixed into various absurd templates, including one where the face is placed over Mark Zuckerberg’s Congressional hearings.
Origin
The meme originated on May 25th, 2015, when the YouTube group Cyndago (associated with Markiplier) posted the image on Twitter. The original deep-fried image of Markiplier’s face on Lord Farquaad’s body quickly gained traction, leading to numerous edits and variations in meme culture.
9
Mocking SpongeBob
About
Mocking SpongeBob, also known as Spongemock, is an image macro featuring the character SpongeBob SquarePants. It is used to convey a mocking tone toward someone’s opinion or statement, often through altered text that imitates a childish or sarcastic voice.
Origin
The image used in this meme comes from the SpongeBob SquarePants episode titled “Little Yellow Book,” which aired on November 25th, 2012. In the episode, Squidward discovers that SpongeBob acts like a chicken when he sees plaid, leading to the now-famous image of SpongeBob with a bent posture and a distorted facial expression, which became the foundation for the meme.
8
Creepy Wonka
About
Condescending Wonka, also known as Creepy Wonka, is an advice animals meme featuring a screen capture of actor Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka from the 1971 musical Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The image is paired with sarcastic, patronizing captions, often used to mockingly respond to something perceived as unoriginal, naive, or overly simplistic.
Origin
The image comes from a scene in the movie where Willy Wonka introduces his candy invention, “The Everlasting Gobstopper.” The meme surfaced online in January 2011, initially appearing in the “You Must Be New Here” reaction face format. Since then, it has become a popular tool for expressing condescension and sarcasm in response to certain statements or ideas.
7
All Your Base Are Belong to Us
About
“All Your Base Are Belong to Us” is a popular internet meme originating from a mistranslation in the 1989 video game Zero Wing. The phrase, which is grammatically incorrect, means “all of your bases are now under our control.” It became widely circulated in 2000, sparking the creation of image macros and flash animations that featured the slogan.
Origin
The phrase comes from the 1992 SEGA Mega Drive port of Zero Wing, a side-scrolling shooter. In the game, the antagonist, the leader of CATS, declares, “All your base are belong to us” during the intro sequence. The first known GIF of this moment appeared on the Rage Games website in 1998, and the meme gained further popularity on the Zany Video Game Quotes site in 1999. This led to its viral spread across various internet forums in the early 2000s.
6
The Dancing Baby
About
The Dancing Baby, also known as Baby Cha-Cha or Oogachacka Baby, is a viral 3D animation featuring a baby performing a cha-cha dance to the intro of “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede. It became one of the earliest internet phenomena, widely circulated through email chains starting in 1996.
Origin
The original animation was created by Michael Girard and Robert Lurye using 3D character animation software called Character Studio. The animation file (sk_baby.max) was released in 1996 as a sample for the software. Ron Lussier, a LucasArts employee, shared it with colleagues, and the video quickly spread, gaining widespread popularity and becoming an early example of a viral internet video.
5
Keyboard Cat
About
Keyboard Cat refers to an orange tabby cat named Fatso, who became an internet sensation after being filmed in the 1980s by his owner, Charlie Schmidt. The video, in which Fatso appears to play a keyboard, became a symbol of failure, often used in internet memes and forums to humorously highlight situations where something goes wrong. Later, Schmidt adopted another cat named Bento, who took over as the “Keyboard Cat” in media appearances.
Origin
The original footage of Fatso was recorded in 1984 by performance artist Charlie Schmidt. He dressed the cat in a shirt belonging to his son and manipulated its paws to make it look like it was playing a keyboard. On June 7th, 2007, Schmidt uploaded the video to his YouTube channel under the title “Cool Cat.” The video initially went unnoticed, but after gaining traction, it became a viral meme by 2009.
4
U MAD BRO?
About
“U MAD?” (sometimes written as “you mad?” or “u mad bro?”) is a catchphrase used online to provoke or mock someone by implying that they are angry or losing their temper, often during an argument. It is commonly used in discussion threads and forums, taunting others into responding aggressively, which makes it a typical form of trolling.
Origin
The phrase has its origins in the world of hip hop, particularly in freestyle rap battles, where “You mad, ’cause [I’m better than you]” is used as a taunt. It gained traction as a meme through its use in diss tracks. The first popular image macro featuring the phrase “YOU MAD” came from a segment on the Bill O’Reilly Show in November 2003, where rapper Cam’Ron used the phrase during a debate about rap music’s influence on children. This moment, along with a picture of Cam’Ron pointing off-camera, became a widely shared meme.
3
"Deal With It" sunglasses
About
“Deal With It” is a phrase used to dismiss someone’s disapproval or discomfort, often accompanied by images or GIFs where a character or person puts on sunglasses. The phrase signifies a defiant or unbothered attitude toward criticism or negative opinions.
Origin
The exact origin of the phrase “Deal with it” is unclear, but it has been used as a colloquial expression to encourage acceptance or indifference to a situation. Its association with image macros and animated GIFs, particularly involving sunglasses being put on, became popular in internet culture, amplifying its use in a humorous or sarcastic context.
2
Rickrolling
About
Rickrolling is an internet prank where a hyperlink, supposedly related to the topic being discussed, redirects the user to the music video of Rick Astley’s 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up.” Since its rise in popularity in May 2007, the prank has led to the song’s resurgence, with millions of views on YouTube. The prank became a viral trend, contributing significantly to the song’s continued fame.
Origin
Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” was released in 1987 as part of his debut album Whenever You Need Somebody. The song became a major hit, topping charts globally. The Rickroll prank originated when YouTuber Erik Helwig prank-called a Michigan radio station in 2006, playing the song over the phone after a sports game. He later described the incident in a YouTube video titled “I Did the First Rickroll (w/ Proof)” in 2015.
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Doge
About
Doge (pronounced “DOHJ”) is a meme featuring images of Shiba Inus, often with captions written in Comic Sans font representing the dog’s internal monologue. The meme gained viral popularity in the early 2010s, primarily using images of a Shiba Inu named Kabosu. Over time, the meme evolved, with a more ironic, self-aware tone emerging around 2017. In 2024, Doge gained further recognition when President-elect Donald Trump announced the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), named after the meme.
Origin
The term “doge” first appeared on June 24th, 2005, in an episode of Homestar Runner’s puppet show. In the episode “Biz Cas Fri 1,” Homestar Runner calls Strong Bad “d-o-g-e” to distract him, marking the earliest use of the misspelled word “doge” for “dog.”
