Memes have become an integral part of our pop culture, and they constantly shape our language and communication. From “rickrolling” to “Grumpy Cat,” these viral images have remained in our memories and even turned into symbols that represent emotions and attitudes. Even more recently, “Woman Yelling at a Cat,” “Arthur Fist,” and “Surprised Pikachu” have joined the ranks of iconic meme images. In some cases, memes have even launched the careers of the real-life people featured in them, like András Arató from “Hide the Pain Harold.” Memes will undoubtedly continue to emerge and become a part of our cultural identity, reflecting and shaping the world around us.
The Top 10 Memes That Have Reshaped Pop Culture
1. “Rickrolling”
For those who don’t know, “rickrolling” is a prank that started around 2007 where someone would trick others into clicking a link to Rick Astley’s 1987 hit song “Never Gonna Give You Up.” The link would often be disguised as something else, like a sneak peek for a blockbuster movie or a leaked trailer. The meme quickly spread and even became a part of the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Rickrolling” has since become a staple in pop culture and has been used by brands like Google and the NFL.
2. “Bad Luck Brian”
“Bad Luck Brian” is a meme that features a picture of a teenage boy with braces and a vest, accompanied by captions that describe various unfortunate events happening to him. The meme originated on the social media site Reddit in 2012, and quickly gained popularity. The image of “Bad Luck Brian” has been used in various ways, from a mascot for bad luck to a symbol of awkwardness.
3. “Grumpy Cat”
“Grumpy Cat” was a meme featuring a picture of a cat with a permanent scowl on its face. The cat’s real name was Tardar Sauce, and the picture was taken by its owner in 2012. The image quickly went viral and “Grumpy Cat” became a household name. The cat even went on to star in its own movie and merchandise line. Sadly, Tardar Sauce passed away in 2019, but the image of “Grumpy Cat” lives on.
4. “Doge”
“Doge” is a meme featuring a picture of a Shiba Inu dog with captions written in broken English and Comic Sans font. The meme originated on the website 4chan in 2013 and quickly gained popularity. “Doge” has been used in various ways, from a symbol of innocence to a representation of silliness. The meme has also inspired various merchandise and even a cryptocurrency called Dogecoin.
5. “Salt Bae”
“Salt Bae” is a meme featuring a Turkish chef named Nusret Gökçe, who gained fame for his unique way of seasoning meat. The meme features a video of Gökçe sprinkling salt on his meat in a dramatic way. The meme quickly spread and has been used in various ways, from a symbol of superiority to a representation of extravagance.
6. “Arthur Fist”
“Arthur Fist” is a meme featuring a screenshot from an episode of the children’s show “Arthur.” The image features the main character, Arthur, clenching his fist in anger. The meme has been used in various ways, from a symbol of frustration to a representation of determination. The image has also inspired various merchandise.
7. “Arthur’s Fist in the Air”
Similar to “Arthur Fist,” “Arthur’s Fist in the Air” features a screenshot from an episode of “Arthur” where the main character is shown raising his fist in the air in triumph. The meme has been used in various ways, from a symbol of victory to a representation of motivation.
8. “Hide the Pain Harold”
“Hide the Pain Harold” is a meme featuring a stock photo of a man smiling awkwardly. The man’s real name is András Arató, and the photo was taken in 2010. The meme features captions describing various instances of hiding pain or discomfort. The image has been used in various ways, from a symbol of inner turmoil to a representation of forced happiness. Arató has since embraced his fame and even appeared in commercials.
9. “Surprised Pikachu”
“Surprised Pikachu” is a meme featuring a screenshot from the Japanese show “Pokémon.” The image features the popular Pokémon character Pikachu with a shocked expression on its face. The meme has been used in various ways, from a symbol of surprise to a representation of disappointment. The image has also inspired various merchandise.
10. “Woman Yelling at a Cat”
“Woman Yelling at a Cat” is a meme featuring a picture of a woman yelling at a cat sitting at a dinner table. The meme features captions describing various disagreements and arguments. The image has been used in various ways, from a symbol of frustration to a representation of misunderstanding. The image has also inspired various merchandise.
Conclusion
These memes have not only reshaped pop culture, but they have also become a part of our everyday language and communication. Whether it’s using “rickrolling” as a way to prank our friends or using “Grumpy Cat” as a way to express our mood, these memes have become a part of our cultural identity. It will be interesting to see what other memes will emerge and become a part of our pop culture in the future.