30 Memes of the Memetic Experience

I think it's about time we read up on our meme history a little bit. I'm sure most scholars know that the term "meme" was initially coined by Richard Dawkins. If you didn't know that, surprise! He's to blame for all of this madness. Meme, by Dawkins's definition, doesn't only encompass the phenomenon of internet memes. His idea of memes is far more all-encompassing.

"A meme is an idea, behavior, or style that spreads by means of imitation from person to person within a culture and often carries symbolic meaning representing a particular phenomenon or theme."

The reason the most popular internet memes are memes at all is that the same format gets imitated again and again, carrying different meanings with each iteration. Some internet memes stand on their own, but the most pervasive ones are pure memes, by Dawkins's definition. If you can't wait to bring out this fun fact at parties, these memes will fortify your knowledge further. 

Author image for Emmy Pratt Emmy Pratt
Add us on Google
Advertisement

Stay entertained and up to date by following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Tags

funny random memes relatable memes random random memes silly memes funny memes dank memes Memes meme funny tweets funny twitter funny funny meme funny tumblr
Scroll Down For The Next Article

Also From Memebase

HR hounds woman on maternity leave to complete trainings, boss constantly reminds them not to bother her: 'Your current management just threw you under the bus instead of taking 5 seconds to check the email chain'

HR hounds woman on maternity leave to complete trainings, boss constantly reminds them not to bother her: 'Your current management just threw you under the bus instead of taking 5 seconds to check the email chain'

Trending Now

Manager demands key employee keep quiet during project meeting, gets caught out by vice president's questions: 'She didn't want anyone else getting any recognition'

Manager demands key employee keep quiet during project meeting, gets caught out by vice president's questions: 'She didn't want anyone else getting any recognition'

01
Single mom resents 17-year-old daughter for going on a school trip and leaving her alone for her 60th birthday: 'She hasn’t acknowledged the fact that I will be completely alone for my birthday.'

Single mom resents 17-year-old daughter for going on a school trip and leaving her alone for her 60th birthday: 'She hasn’t acknowledged the fact that I will be completely alone for my birthday.'

02
Funniest Cat Memes for Feline Fanatics (December 3, 2025)

Funniest Cat Memes for Feline Fanatics (December 3, 2025)

03
Boss reprimands employee for taking their 30-minute lunch break, tells them they're 'lucky to have a job' making $16/hr: 'Done being grateful for crumbs'

Boss reprimands employee for taking their 30-minute lunch break, tells them they're 'lucky to have a job' making $16/hr: 'Done being grateful for crumbs'

04
HR steps in for Tech team after incompetent staff refuses learn how to work with them, creates a quiz they all must pass with 90% accuracy: 'It's great when HR has IT's back'

HR steps in for Tech team after incompetent staff refuses learn how to work with them, creates a quiz they all must pass with 90% accuracy: 'It's great when HR has IT's back'

05
Mom cries after 16-year-old daughter spills a dollop of sauce on the placemat, gets angry when her daughter laughs at her tears: 'She said I was laughing at her misfortune and I’m creating so much more work for her.'

Mom cries after 16-year-old daughter spills a dollop of sauce on the placemat, gets angry when her daughter laughs at her tears: 'She said I was laughing at her misfortune and I’m creating so much more work for her.'

06
Advertisement