Meme: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term 'meme' was created by British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book, 'The Selfish Gene', to describe how ideas spread.
• It comes from the Greek word 'mīmēma', which means 'that which is imitated'.
• Initially, the concept was not limited to the internet; it encompassed cultural ideas and practices.

Pop Culture

• Memes gained massive popularity in the early 2000s with the rise of social media platforms like Reddit and 4chan.
• Popular memes like 'Doge', 'Distracted Boyfriend', and 'Woman Yelling at a Cat' have become cultural phenomena, often influencing trends.
• Memes are frequently used in marketing, where brands create relatable or humorous content to engage audiences.

Psychology

• Memes can play a role in group identity, as sharing specific memes can create a sense of belonging among members of a community.
• They can also shape perceptions and opinions, subtly influencing how people think about social and political issues.
• Because memes are often humorous, they make serious topics more approachable, helping to engage wider audiences in discussions.

Technology

• The spread of memes is greatly facilitated by the internet, especially social media, making them viral in nature.
• Memes often evolve quickly, with variations and iterations appearing almost instantaneously across platforms.
• Certain platforms like TikTok have transformed the meme landscape by introducing video-based memes, known as challenges or trends.

Literature

• Memes can be seen as modern folklore, with recurring themes, archetypes, and narratives that reflect societal values.
• Scholars compare memes to literary tropes, where certain story elements or phrases are repeated and adapted over time.
• Some poets and authors creatively use memes in their work, blurring the lines between traditional literature and digital art.

At rank #25,585, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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