A meme (internet meme) is a piece of content—such as an image, video, phrase, or concept—that spreads rapidly online, often with humorous or satirical intent. It is a cornerstone of internet slang and digital culture, evolving through user modifications and sharing within online communities.

1 Definition and etymology

1.1 Origin of the term (Richard Dawkins, 1976)

The term "meme" was coined by British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book *The Selfish Gene*. Dawkins used it to describe a unit of cultural transmission analogous to a gene: an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. He proposed that memes replicate, mutate, and are subject to natural selection, much like biological genes.

1.2 Adaptation to internet culture

With the rise of the World Wide Web, the concept of the meme was adopted and transformed by early online communities. The prefix "internet meme" distinguishes digital cultural units—typically humorous or referential—from Dawkins's broader definition. Internet memes spread through sharing, remixing, and reposting, often evolving rapidly in form and meaning.

2 Classification of memes

2.1 Image-based memes

2.1.1 Image macros and advice animals

Image macros are pictures overlaid with text, usually in a bold, white font with a black outline. A prominent subset is advice animals, which feature anthropomorphic animal photographs (e.g., "Advice Dog," "Bad Luck Brian") paired with captions offering comedic advice or commentary on everyday situations.

2.1.2 Reaction images and GIFs

Reaction images are static pictures used to convey an emotional response in online conversations, such as surprise, frustration, or amusement. Animated GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format) serve a similar purpose, capturing short looping video clips that express nuanced reactions more vividly than text.

2.2 Video memes

Platforms like TikTok popularized short-form video memes, which often involve users lip-syncing, dancing, or performing skits to a shared audio track. These memes spread through challenges, duets, and remixes, with participants adding their own creative twists.

2.2.2 Edited remixes and parodies

Edited remixes take existing video footage—from movies, news clips, or other viral videos—and alter it with new audio, subtitles, or visual effects. Parodies imitate the style or content of a source for comedic effect, often satirizing pop culture or current events.

2.3 Text-based memes

2.3.1 Catchphrases and snowclones

Catchphrases are short, memorable phrases (e.g., "I can't even," "This is fine") that circulate widely. Snowclones are template phrases with replaceable elements, such as "X is the new Y" or "In space, no one can hear you X." Users insert new content to generate fresh variations.

2.3.2 Copypastas and greentext stories

Copypastas are blocks of text copied and pasted across forums and social media, often humorous, absurd, or creepy. Greentext stories are a specific format popularized on 4chan, where each line begins with a ">" symbol and is colored green, used to narrate brief, often exaggerated personal anecdotes.

2.4 Audio memes

2.4.1 Viral sound bites

Short audio clips—dialogues, sound effects, or voice lines—become memes when they are repeatedly shared and incorporated into videos or remixes. Examples include the "Wilhelm scream" or quotes from movies that are reused in countless contexts.

2.4.2 Song parodies and remixes

Entire songs or portions of songs can become memes, either through parody lyrics that comment on online culture or through remixes that alter the tempo, add beats, or splice in other audio. Platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud facilitate the spread of these audio memes.

3 Meme lifecycle

3.1 Creation and origin

A meme typically originates when a user posts an original piece of content—an image, video, phrase, or sound clip—that resonates with an online community. The creator may intend humor, satire, or commentary, or the content may be accidentally amusing.

3.2 Propagation and sharing

Once created, a meme spreads through sharing on social media, forums, and messaging apps. Key factors in propagation include relatability, humor, simplicity, and the ease of reuse or remixing. Algorithms on platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok can amplify viral spread.

3.3 Mutation and variations

As a meme circulates, users modify it—changing captions, substituting images, or combining it with other memes. These mutations create variations that keep the meme fresh and allow it to adapt to different contexts, extending its lifespan.

3.4 Decline and obsolescence

Over time, a meme becomes overused, losing its novelty and impact. Users may grow tired of seeing it, and new memes replace it in the spotlight. Some memes fade quickly, while others remain in niche communities or evolve into enduring cultural references.

4 Meme culture and communities

4.1 Online platforms as meme hubs

4.1.1 Reddit and subreddits

Reddit hosts many dedicated communities (subreddits) for creating and sharing memes, such as r/memes, r/dankmemes, and r/AdviceAnimals. Users vote content up or down, determining which memes reach the front page and gain widespread visibility.

4.1.2 4chan and anonymous boards

4chan’s anonymous imageboards, particularly /b/ (random), are known for originating many early internet memes (e.g., "LOLcats," "Rickrolling"). The lack of persistent usernames encourages rapid, unmoderated creativity and inside jokes.

4.1.3 Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok

Twitter facilitates meme spread through retweets and hashtags; Instagram uses visual-focused sharing and hashtag curation; TikTok’s algorithm promotes short video memes based on user engagement. All three platforms accelerate the evolution and mainstreaming of memes.

4.2 Memetic subcultures

4.2.1 Wholesome memes

Wholesome memes emphasize kindness, positivity, and heartwarming sentiments. They often feature cute animals, friendly advice, or encouraging messages, providing relief from the cynicism of darker humor.

4.2.2 Dark humor and irony memes

Dark humor memes tackle taboo or morbid subjects with ironic detachment, while irony memes (e.g., "dank memes") use self-aware, absurdist humor that may be intentionally low-quality or nonsensical. These subcultures thrive on platforms like 4chan, Reddit, and Discord.

5 Impact and influence

5.1 Social and communication impact

5.1.1 Memes as social commentary

Memes frequently comment on social issues, political events, or cultural trends in a format that is easily shareable and accessible. They can simplify complex topics, foster discussion, or serve as a form of grassroots criticism.

5.1.2 Memes in relationships and romance

Couples and friends use memes to express affection, share inside jokes, or navigate romantic situations—such as sending a "meme proposal" or using a reaction image to express love. Memes can strengthen bonds through shared humor.

5.2 Commercialization and marketing

5.2.1 Brand adoption of memes

Companies and organizations sometimes adopt popular memes in advertising or social media posts to appear relatable and current. While this can boost engagement, it also risks being perceived as inauthentic or "cringeworthy" if mishandled.

5.2.2 Meme-based merchandise

Successful memes often spawn merchandise, such as T-shirts, mugs, and stickers featuring iconic images or catchphrases. This commercialization can extend a meme’s lifespan but may also dilute its original subcultural appeal.

6 Criticism and controversies

6.1 Overuse and normiefication

As memes move from niche online groups to mainstream audiences, they may be deemed "normie" (i.e., no longer cool or creative). Overuse drains a meme’s novelty, and original meanings can be lost or simplified, leading to criticism from early adopters.

6.2 Misappropriation and decontextualization

Memes sometimes outlive their original context, leading to misappropriation by new users who misunderstand the intent. This can cause offense—for example, when images originally used for satire are repurposed for harassment or hate speech. The decontextualization of meme elements often sparks debate about ownership and interpretation.

7 See also

  • Internet culture
  • Viral phenomenon
  • Remix culture
  • Shitposting