Meme History

Meme History is a weekly column and video series that explores the origins and history of the most iconic memes online. It runs on Saturdays in the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter. If you want to read this column before everyone else, sign up for the newsletter here. Check out the video series here.

Thanks Obama meme

Meme History: Thanks Obama

Whether earnest or ironic, the phrase has become an inescapable part of internet culture.

On Jul 21, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Mike Wazowski memes

Meme History: Mike Wazowski memes

Mike Wazowski is one of our most expressive animated characters, so it’s no wonder he makes for great meme fodder.

On Jul 14, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Disappointed Cillian Murphy meme

Meme History: Disappointed Cillian Murphy

What happens when a man who doesn’t know what a meme is becomes one?

On Jul 7, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Pepe Silvia meme

Meme History: Pepe Silvia

Pepe Silvia the meme tempers the insanity of any given conspiracy with its own hilarity.

On Jun 30, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Hide The Pain Harold Meme

Meme History: Hide The Pain Harold

The story of how a series of stock photos defined an era.

On Jun 23, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Poot meme

Meme History: Poot Lovato

If you’re a student of the more bizarre things the internet has on offer, Poot Lovato is a good moment to be aware of.

On Jun 16, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Elmo on Fire meme

Meme History: Elmo On Fire

Tumblr called Elmo “our dark lord,” and at some level, we can all feel our world burning every day.

On Jun 9, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Drake memes

Meme History: Drake memes

One of the most internet-famous rappers of all time, Drake is a man of many memes.

On Jun 2, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Mocking Spongebob meme

Meme History: Mocking Spongebob

The internet loves using children’s cartoons to mock one another.

On May 26, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Roll Safe Meme

Meme History: Roll Safe

Looking back on the 2010s, it’s still one of the most indelible images of the internet from that era.

On May 19, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Woman Yelling At Cat Meme

Meme History: Woman Yelling At Cat

The meme’s dark origin story turned wholesome thanks to an adorable pet.

On May 12, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Bad Luck Brian meme

Meme History: Bad Luck Brian

What began as a self-deprecating way to make people laugh…has continued to be a deprecating way to make people laugh.

On May 5, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Uno Reverse Card Meme

Meme History: Uno Reverse Card

The Uno reverse card has a very specific meaning on the internet.

On Apr 28, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Surprised Pikachu meme.

Meme History: Surprised Pikachu

No internet craze can take off without some element of mockery, cuteness, self-importance, irony, or nostalgia.

On Apr 21, 2024 by Kyle Calise

Let Him Cook meme

Meme History: Let Him Cook

Not everything needs to be Shakespeare in order to be good writing, and sometimes one-syllable words are the best way to get the masses on board with a new idea.

On Apr 14, 2024 by Kyle Calise