30 Memes of the Memetic Experience

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Dec 4, 2025 7:00 AM EST

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. 

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  • 01
    Paleontology right now A That's 100% valid, dude!
    via CodyBurkett
  • 02
    i lowkey dgaf anymore
    via CodyBurkett

    Like literally, who cares?

  • 03
    Hello there, fellow disgusting peasant. How about that toiling and living in squalor, am I right? Anyway, fun chat, but we'd better get back to obeying the state and supporting the economy!
    via CodyBurkett

    Being a peasant is the best! Couldn't recommend it enough!

  • 04
    Joel Brackenbury created a poll in Linguistics [fit.,phäü.sfn]. 16 hrs It's just struck me that we've shown a distinct lack of foresight in naming the current form of the English language "Modern English". Centuries down the line, what will people call the English descendant they speak then? We should help them out and come up with something now. Add your suggestion! ✓ English_final_FINAL Postmodern English Modern English but we really mean it this time 2 English 2 Furious English II: Electric B
    via Joel Brackenbury

    I'm voting for "Modern English but we really mean it this time"

  • 05
    Are you tired of the rat race? Are you sick of the daily grind in your go-nowhere job? Are you ready for a more fulfilling life? Then Being Carried Away By Owls might be right for you! Perks of Being Carried Away By Owls: No stressful deadlines! No cramped cubicles! No exhausting commute! Soothing nature sounds! Team focused atmosphere! All the mouse bones you can eat! Millennial Memes for Existential Extremes Visit your local forest clearing today, to learn more about beginning an exciting care
    via CodyBurkett

    Take me away, boys!

  • 06
    The Earth Has music For those Who listen
    via CodyBurkett
  • 07
    EN W ENTRY MIMESIS: AFRICAN SOLDIER wife useums Scottish Banter ❤ 1 Tag(e) * The Duke of Wellington's cone has been replaced by a pigeon wearing a tiny cone reading a newspaper. TAK DAILD
    via Scottish Banter

    She's an icon, she's a legend, and she is the moment

  • 08
    Adding geologist to my resume after hitting rock bottom
    via CodyBurkett
  • 09
    ¥ HONESTLY, IT JUST FEELS LIKE I'M * PANICKING AT THE WRONG DISCO.
    via CodyBurkett

    Can someone point me in the direction of the panicking disco?

  • 10
    Fargond vrunt you're listening to 103.3 WFYR i'm sisyphus bringing you the same rock every night
    via @vrunt
  • 11
    SOME PEOPLE HAVE A GIRLFRIEND Q SOME PEOPLE HAVE A BOYFRIEND O I HAVE a severely disturbed mental state that prevents me from functioning normally or forming relationships i mean haha look at funny dog
    via CodyBurkett
  • 12
    JP @jpbrammer. 7h should I purchase the all-male borderline blasphemous cardinal nativity scene LEANNE we NAHWAY 4395 art Cour
    via @jpbrammer
  • 13
    Philomachus Pugnax bird looks like Queen Elizabeth 1
    via CodyBurkett

    The spitting image

  • 14
    My version of a happy meal. ALL YOU CAN LAT
    via CodyBurkett

    This would make me very happy

  • 15
    Perfect stick or perfect rock which one you taking @importantindianimages The hardest crossroad any man will come by
    via CodyBurkett

    Perfect rock on the beach, perfect stick in the woods

  • 16
    which one would b ur next bite? Mine would be B A B @Kroniebits You have to earn b by doing c first C
    via @Kroniebits

    The only right answer

  • 17
    When today's safety meeting is about what you did yesterday
    via stonetemplefox05

    My b!

  • 18
    Uncle Duke @UncleDuke1969 you gotta be faster ry's ry's evaporated milk 410
    via @UncleDuke1969

    What's in a name?

  • 19
    Door Mordor Gondor
    via stonetemplefox05

    Bye, door!

  • 20
    ballwizard Follow Mar 12 love it when my cats make that one face when i scratch their chins. the -- one you know what i mean. --one ballwizard Follow Mar 12 artist rendition
    via ballwizard
  • 21
    brent @murrman5 doctor: have you been tested for adhd before? me thinking about what my entrance song would be if I was a wrestler: you have a nice office
    via @murrman5
  • 22
    Andrew Ingalls ❤ @andrewOingalls Nothing has improved my life more than my wife's best friend marrying a loser . 8:52 AM 7/24/24 From Earth 1.2M Views • 547 Reposts 163 Quotes 25K Likes 1.2K Bookmark
    via @andrewOingalls

    New friend!!!

  • 23
    When you're in public having an anxiety attack and you're trying to look and act as normal as possible but really you be looking like this the_mermaid lagoon 項
    via stonetemplefox05
  • 24
    You are good enough. Actually, you're probably overqualified but let's start the week off humble.
    via stonetemplefox05
  • 25
    "Mario games teach us that even if something is essentially the same, psychologically it can be completely different. This example is very easy to understand." ARIO WORLD TIMARIO 60400 3×60 8-1 0499850 Jx60 WORLD 8-3 TIM 063
    via stonetemplefox05
  • 26
    r/Showerthoughts Posted by u 1 1 1 4h If you try to hand a woman something enclosed in your fist, she is going to think you're trying to hand her a bug. Even if you've known her for years and never tried to give her a bug before. They never let their guard down regarding being handed a bug.
    via r/Showerthoughts
  • 27
    Amanda @ms_emmalyon - 10h My parents are currently visiting Peru, and I feel I must share this picture mom sent from Lima. XX
    via @ms_emmalyon

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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
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