Meme

Meme (noun / internet talk)

(Also heard as: Bit of a meme, Doing it for the memes, Total meme)

Definition: A picture, video clip, or line of text that gets passed around online, copied, and messed with until it turns into a massive inside joke.

Pronunciation: /miːm/

Where It Comes From: A scientist named Richard Dawkins came up with the word in 1976. He was writing about biology and wanted a snappy name for an idea or habit that hops from person to person. Years later, folks messing about on early internet forums grabbed the word to label funny photos with white text over them, and it stuck for good.

How People Actually Use It: Sent to your mates to save you typing out a reply, or scrolled through in bed when you should’ve been asleep ages ago. It’s what happens when someone pulls a funny face on live telly, messes up in front of a camera, or when people just want to take the mickey out of everyday annoyances.

Examples in the Wild:

• “He wore that bright orange coat once and the lads turned him into a meme for weeks.”

  Translation: His mates wouldn’t stop making jokes about his dodgy jacket.

• “Don’t bite, he’s only posting that garbage for the memes.”

  Translation: Ignore him, he’s just winding people up for a laugh.

• “Sat on the sofa meaning to do the washing up, lost an hour to dog memes instead.”

  Translation: I put off my chores to look at funny videos on my phone.

Similar Slang: Running joke, Inside joke, Gag, Banter, Wind-up