A meme is typically a photo or video, although sometimes it can be a block of text.

When a meme resonates with many people, it’s spread via social platforms, texting, and email.

The more a meme is spread, the greater the cultural influence it has.

Richard Dawkins meme

Other memes are specific to a specific event or idea.

In his book, he likened a meme’s spread to that of a virus.

The word meme came from the Greek word mimeme, which means imitated thing.

Goal for 2020 Meme

Decades later, Dawkins supported the appropriation of the word meme into the digital world.

He said that the new meaning isn’t that far from his original explanation.

Memes used to be the domain of 20-somethings.

Baby with fist meme celebrating a win

What Makes a Meme

Memes are a worldwide social phenomenon.

Memes are usually funny, but often that humor is injected with wry political or social commentary.

Sometimes memes exist for shock value or to teach a life lesson.

Pavlov meme

Other times a single photo or short video will generate hundreds of hilarious interpretations.

Kids, parenting, pets, and everyday life offer endless meme material.

The above meme mimics our determination on New Year’s Eve to finally make positive changes.

Adorable angry duckling memes

The same image represents our feelings of satisfaction and winning when we receive an unexpected windfall.

More are created and shared every day, and new material is constantly available.

VisitKnow Your Memeto research a meme or get inspiration.

Mom meme

Middle sibling meme

Man killed to death meme

Area 51 raid meme

Flat Earth meme

A wine meme showing wine aerobics—how to use a wine opener.

Wine mom meme

Meme about the benefits of not having kids

Meanwhile in Idaho meme

Quarantine weight-gain meme

Murder hornets meme

Brexit meme

Adam Levine meme

Game of Thrones meme

The Office meme