Meme (Noun)
Meaning
A cultural unit (an idea or value or pattern of behavior) that is passed from one person to another by non-genetic means (as by imitation); "memes are the cultural counterpart of genes".
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The concept of memes has been applied to a wide range of cultural phenomena, including catchphrases, fashion trends, and viral videos.
- The idea of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" meme originated in a British propaganda poster from World War II, but was later co-opted and reinterpreted by internet users.
- Memes can spread rapidly through social media platforms, often evolving and mutating as they are shared and remixed by different users.
- The "Distracted Boyfriend" meme, which features a stock photo of a man looking at another woman while his girlfriend or wife looks on in shock or disgust, has been used to comment on a wide range of topics, from politics to pop culture.
- The study of memes as cultural units has been the subject of significant academic interest, with scholars exploring their role in shaping and reflecting societal values and attitudes.