What Are Memes?

Internet memes are images or short video clips that are shared by many people, typically with the intent to convey something funny or sarcastic. While the image or video content usually stays the same, the captions change to meet the needs of the person posting the meme.

One meme that has been popular for years, for example, is the "distracted boyfriend meme." This image shows a guy walking with a girl. They're holding hands, but he is turned back to "check out" another woman. His girlfriend is looking at him, annoyed.

A common use for this meme is in the reading community. People use image editing tools to create text that indicates the boyfriend is them, the girlfriend is their "to be read" pile of books and the woman walking by is a new book at the store. The joke is that despite having plenty of books to read, the person will continue to buy more books.

Where Do Memes Come From?

Memes come from a variety of sources. Sometimes a random photograph is found online, captioned by someone and shared. Other people take the photo, recaption it and share it too. It becomes a meme as more people do this.

Still shots and video clips from movies and television shows can become memes as well. Screenshots of specific social media posts might also become memes.

Why Do People Share Memes?

People share memes for entertainment purposes and as a form of communication online. Someone might respond to comments or posts on social media with a meme that conveys how they feel, assuming other people will understand the context and meaning of the meme.

Some Popular Memes From 2024

Memes have been an internet staple for decades, and there are thousands if not millions of memes. Older adults don't need to worry if they don't understand each one — no one does. Memes can be very specific to the cultural groups that create them. For example, there are many Game of Thrones memes; without some knowledge of the books or television show, those can be difficult to understand. And some Game of Thrones memes are only understood by the most diehard fans.

However, some memes — like the "distracted boyfriend meme" mentioned above — have a much wider audience. Here's a look at some popular memes you might have seen in the past year and what they mean.

DiCaprio Toasting as The Great Gatsby

The "DiCaprio toasting meme" is a still shot from the movie The Great Gatsby. It features Leonardo DiCaprio in character as Gatsby raising a glass in a toast.

The meaning of this meme is literally "cheers." It's often used when someone wants to show agreement or appreciation for something. For instance, if one person posts a funny comment, another person might respond with this meme. Or, if several people are engaged in an argument online and one person wants to show their agreement with another, they might post this meme.

Olympic Memes

Any time large groups of people enjoy the same entertainment, it can generate memes. This is in part because everyone can draw on this shared experience, creating "inside jokes." The Olympics is a great example, and in 2024, the games spawned many memes.

Some of them related to Yusuf Dikec, who won a silver medal for shooting at the 2024 Olympics. In an event where the competition showed up with tons of gear and super-serious attitudes, Dikec's casual approach stood out. Dressed in what looked like weekend athleisure wear, he shot with one hand in his pocket. The internet loved him and quickly turned him into a variety of memes related to doing things with casual confidence.

Political Memes

You'll always find political memes online, and they run the gamut from serious to funny. Some are used by people to convey their political affiliation or thoughts, while others are used to laugh at seemingly ridiculous political hijinks.

As 2024 is a presidential election year, political memes are constantly being created. People take out-of-context snippets of candidate speeches, still shots from videos and other clips and turn them into a variety of memes.

Older adults who use the internet may want to be especially careful about political memes, as they often provide incorrect information or information that's incomplete. Memes can be funny and enjoyable to share, but it's important never to rely on them as fact for any purpose.

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