They weren’t just funny memes; they became a language.

From crying cats to distracted boyfriends, these viral images didn’t just make us laugh; they captured our moods, our anxieties, and the weird beauty of internet culture. In many ways, meme culture has evolved into a reflection of society itself, turning collective emotions, global events, and generational humor into a living digital archive.

Here are the memes that refused to fade away.

The “Doge” Meme

Meaning: The queen of wholesome internet randomness.
History: Originating in 2010 from a Shiba Inu named Kabosu, Doge rose to fame thanks to her iconic side-eye expression and broken-English captions in colorful Comic Sans, like “much wow, very cute.” What started as a quirky Tumblr post snowballed into a full-blown internet phenomenon. Doge became more than a meme; she sparked Dogecoin, inspired endless remixes, and still reigns as one of the most beloved faces of internet culture.

Crying Cat 

Meaning: The mood when you’re barely holding it together.
History: A photoshopped image of a sad-looking cat began circulating in 2014, usually paired with captions expressing anxiety, heartbreak, or existential dread. The droopy eyes and human-like frown struck a nerve, turning the image into the unofficial mascot for “emotional damage,” ironic despair, and late-night overthinking. It’s the kind of meme that makes you laugh first, then think, “wait, why is this me?”

Distracted Boyfriend Meme

Meaning: The universal meme of shifting attention or bad decisions.
History: This Spanish stock photo, originally taken by photographer Antonio Guillem, exploded into meme culture in 2017. Featuring a man turning to check out another woman while his girlfriend looks on in disbelief, it quickly became a template for labeling internal conflicts, like “Me,” “Netflix,” and “Responsibilities.” Its real power lies in how universally relatable and endlessly remixable it is, making it one of the most recognizable memes of the decade.

Wojak (Feels Guy)

Meaning: The face of existential dread and digital philosophy.
History: First appearing on imageboards in the late 2000s, Wojak, also known as “Feels Guy,” began as a simple black-and-white drawing expressing loneliness and existential angst. Over time, it evolved into a whole meme ecosystem, spawning subtypes like Doomer, Chad, NPC, and Yes Chad to represent everything from internet cynicism to toxic confidence. Each variant captures a hyper-specific emotional or ideological state, making Wojak the internet’s most flexible (and painfully relatable) stick figure.

This Is Fine

Meaning: The meme of denial while everything burns.
History: This meme comes from a 2013 webcomic titled “On Fire” by KC Green, where a cheerful dog sits at a table sipping coffee as flames engulf the room around him. The now-iconic line “This is fine” perfectly captures the surreal calm many of us adopt in the face of overwhelming stress or disaster. Whether it’s climate change, burnout, or a Monday morning meeting, this meme became a universal symbol for pretending everything’s okay when it isn’t.

Woman Yelling at Cat

Meaning: Internet chaos in one glorious image.
History: A fusion of a dramatic moment from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and a confused white cat named Smudge sitting in front of a plate of vegetables, this meme first went viral in 2019. The stark contrast between the yelling woman and the unbothered cat sparked endless captions and remix potential. Over time, it evolved into the ultimate symbol of internet miscommunication, over-the-top reactions, and sassy standoffs that somehow feel a little too real.

“Is This a Pigeon?” Guy

Meaning: Misunderstanding things with confidence.
History: This meme originates from the 1990s Japanese anime The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird, but it didn’t hit meme status until around 2011. The image shows a humanoid android mistaking a butterfly for a pigeon, which internet users quickly adopted as a way to mock confusion, misidentification, or hilariously flawed logic. Whether it’s someone misusing a word or totally missing the point of a conversation, this meme became the go-to way to say, “Seriously… is this what you think it is?”

Confused Math Lady

Meaning: When you’re mentally doing the calculations, and still lost.
History: This meme is a still from the Brazilian telenovela Senhora do Destino, featuring actress Renata Sorrah in a moment of intense confusion. It skyrocketed to viral fame when internet users overlaid floating math equations around her head, perfectly capturing the feeling of trying to make sense of something completely baffling. Whether you’re calculating your bank balance after impulse shopping or overthinking a simple text, this meme nails the look of real-time mental gymnastics.

Leonardo DiCaprio Cheers

Meaning: Ironic celebration or classy shade.
History: This meme comes from The Great Gatsby (2013), where Leonardo DiCaprio’s character raises a glass with a charming yet smug smile. Originally a cinematic moment of grandeur, the GIF and still image quickly found a second life online as the ultimate “cheers” to sarcasm, petty wins, or performative support. Whether you’re toasting your own chaotic decision-making or applauding someone else’s bad idea, Leo’s iconic smirk says, “I saw this coming and I’m loving every second of it.”

So what happens when all that meme energy turns into a message?

After scrolling through 9 of the internet’s finest, it’s only fair we hit you with our own. Here’s a Meme Card that says it all visually, hilariously, and truthfully.

Final Scroll: Memes Aren’t Just Funny, They’re Cultural Time Capsules

From absurd humor to quiet existential truths, memes have evolved into more than just fleeting jokes; they’re how we process the world. Whether it’s a crying cat or a smug Leonardo DiCaprio, these viral images reflect our fears, frustrations, and funny bones.

We’ve all sent at least one of these. Probably at 2 AM. Probably with the caption “me.” 

If you’ve ever wondered why memes resonate so deeply, this deeper look into meme culture and society might explain why they’ve become our digital shorthand for everything from chaos to connection.

FAQs About the Memes

1: Why do memes go viral so quickly?
Memes often go viral because they’re highly relatable, easy to share, and visually simple. Humor, emotions, or clever commentary make them resonate across social media platforms, encouraging rapid spread.

2: Can memes influence culture or society?
Absolutely. Memes can shape language, trends, and public opinion. They reflect societal moods, bring attention to social issues, and sometimes even inspire political or marketing movements.

3: How do memes evolve over time?
Memes adapt as users remix them, changing captions, images, or contexts to reflect current events, trends, or subcultures. This evolution keeps them fresh and relevant.

4: Are memes only for humor?
Not always. While many memes are funny, some convey emotions, social commentary, or political messages. Memes can also provide a sense of community or shared understanding online.

5: Why do some memes “live rent-free” in our minds?
Memes stick because they trigger strong emotional reactions, are highly relatable, and are easily recalled. The simplicity and visual impact make them memorable long after you first see them.