The REAL Story Behind 10 Popular Internet Memes
Published -
- December 23, 2016
- 9:00 pm
The story behind hilarious Internet meme finally revealed! Which one is your favourite?
If you have been on the Internet in the past decade, chances are you have been drowning in dank memes for a while now. From making fun of situations, or turning regular people into instant celebrities, memes can be pretty powerful. But, have you ever wondered the actual story behind some of these Internet nuggets? Today we are discussing the REAL story behind 10 popular memes.
In what ways do internet memes reflect and contribute to broader cultural trends and social influences?
Internet memes have taken over social media platforms and have become an important cultural phenomenon in the 21st century. They are often humorous images, videos, and phrases that spread rapidly across the internet. They are shared on websites like Reddit, Tumblr, and Facebook, and have become a part of our daily internet experience. However, unlike traditional jokes, memes can change over time, and their meaning can be lost in translation. In this article, we will delve into the true origins of some popular internet memes and try to uncover the real stories behind their creation.
1. “Grumpy Cat” – Grumpy Cat, whose real name is Tardar Sauce, became famous in 2012 when a photo of her grumpy face was posted on Reddit. The photo was then shared on Facebook and Twitter, and soon it became a viral sensation. It was said that Tardar Sauce had feline dwarfism, which gave her a permanently grumpy expression. Unfortunately, Tardar Sauce passed away in May 2019 due to complications from a urinary tract infection.
2. “Distracted Boyfriend” – This meme features a man checking out another woman while his girlfriend looks on in disapproval. The photo was taken by a photographer named Antonio Guillem in 2015, as part of a Shutterstock photoshoot. The photo was uploaded to various stock photo websites, but it wasn’t until 2017 that it became a meme.
3. “Pepe the Frog” – Pepe the Frog was created by Matt Furie for his comic book Boy’s Club. The comic features four animal friends, including Pepe. However, the character became a meme in 2008 when 4chan users started to adopt the image and add their own captions to it. Unfortunately, the image has been co-opted by alt-right groups and has become associated with hate speech.
4. “Success Kid” – This 10-year-old boy, named Sam, became famous in 2007 when his mother posted a photo of him on Flickr. The photo features him with a clenched fist and a determined expression. The photo became a meme on websites like Reddit, 4chan, and Tumblr, with captions that reflected the feeling of success in a variety of situations.
5. “Arthur Fist” – This meme features Arthur, the aardvark from the children’s television show Arthur, clenching his fist. The image was taken from the 1999 episode “Arthur’s Big Hit,” where Arthur punches his sister in the arm. The meme became popular in 2016, and it is often used to express frustration or anger.
6. “Hide the Pain Harold” – Harold, whose real name is András Arató, became famous in 2011 when a photographer took his portrait for a stock photo website. The photo was used in various advertisements, but it wasn’t until 2014 that it became a meme. The caption of the original photo read, “I’m fine,” but the internet took it and ran with it. Harold’s strained smile has now become synonymous with hiding pain behind a fake smile.
7. “Doge” – Doge, a Shiba Inu, became a meme in 2010 when a photo of him was posted on Tumblr. The photo featured the dog with a pronounced underbite and captions that followed a specific syntax (“wow,” “such,” “very”). The meme became popular in 2013 and has since been used to describe various situations.
8. “Salt Bae” – The Turkish chef, Nusret Gökçe, became famous in 2017 when a video of him cutting and seasoning meat went viral. In the video, Gökçe sprinkles the salt in a theatrical manner, which earned him the nickname “Salt Bae.” The meme has been used to describe adding flair to mundane tasks.
9. “Surprised Pikachu” – This meme features Pikachu with a surprised expression. The image was taken from the 2018 movie, “Pokémon Detective Pikachu,” and was used in promotional material for the film. However, the image became a meme when it was shared on social media platforms and used to describe situations where someone is surprised.
10. “Mocking SpongeBob” – This meme features SpongeBob SquarePants with a distorted face and mocking text. The image was taken from a 2012 episode of SpongeBob, where SpongeBob imitates a chicken. The meme became popular in 2017 and has been used to mock others by mimicking their speech patterns.
In conclusion, these popular internet memes have rooted themselves in our culture and have become a part of our daily internet experience. While some have lost their original meaning, it is important to remember the stories behind them and the creative minds that brought them to life.
