internet memes

Internet memes are ideas, images, videos, or phrases that spread rapidly online through social sharing and imitation.

A meme typically involves a recognizable format—an image with caption text, a video clip, a catchphrase—that users remix and adapt: I spent an hour looking at cat memes.

Memes often reference pop culture or current events, with humor ranging from absurdist to political.

The term borrows from biologist Richard Dawkins's concept of cultural units that replicate and evolve, though internet usage is far more casual.

A meme's lifespan varies—some persist for years, others feel stale within days.