Lets Learn about MEMEs!!!
The Origin and History of the Term "Meme"
What is a Meme?
The term "meme" was coined by British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. Dawkins used the term to describe an idea, behavior, style, or cultural practice that spreads within a culture—similar to how genes spread biological traits. The word "meme" comes from the Greek word mimema, meaning "that which is imitated."
Evolution of the Term
Initially, the concept of a meme was academic and theoretical, referring to cultural elements passed between individuals through imitation. With the rise of the internet in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the term "meme" evolved to primarily refer to humorous images, videos, or text shared rapidly online, often with slight variations.
How Memes Are Used Today
Today, memes are a key part of online communication, often used to convey humor, commentary, or relatable experiences. They can go viral within hours and adapt to various cultural or social contexts.
Examples of Popular Memes
Some well-known examples include:
- Doge – A Shiba Inu dog with multicolored Comic Sans captions expressing inner monologue.
- Distracted Boyfriend – A stock photo of a man looking at another woman while his girlfriend looks on in disapproval.
- Success Kid – A toddler clenching his fist with a determined expression, symbolizing small personal victories.
Test Your Knowledge: Meme Quiz
Make Your Own Meme
WOW.
So, fuck you, web developers!?