What does a meme mean?

Like any good meme, meme caught on and evolved, eventually developing the meaning known to anyone who spends time online, where it's most often used to refer to any one of those silly captioned photos that the Internet can't seem to get enough of. Recent Examples on the Web Want the latest beauty trend, TV show, or meme explained?

When was meme first used?

In fact, author Richard Dawkins first used the word in his 1976 work The Selfish Gene. The book looked at evolution and used meme to describe an idea or behavior that spreads across people in a culture. When someone says meme nowadays, they're probably referring to an internet meme.

Are memes funny?

Popular memes are often funny, ranging from silly humor to niche humor to more pointed political humor. Kids, parenting, pets, and everyday life offer endless meme material. Often one funny image spurs a host of memes, as with this determined-looking toddler clenching his hand into a fist.

What is a meme & how does it affect culture?

The more a meme is spread, the greater the cultural influence it has. Here's a deeper look into what exactly a meme is, the different types of memes, and some meme examples. Some a meme sticks around a while because it represents something timeless that continually rings true for people, such as parenthood.