The word “meme” did not start as internet slang. It traces back to a concept introduced by biologist Richard Dawkins, who used “meme” to describe how ideas can replicate and spread through populations—similar to how genes replicate in biology.
In the early days of online communities, the idea of replicating content evolved into something practical: people shared screenshots, forwarded jokes, traded phrases, and reused recurring formats. Over time, the internet built tools—forums, image boards, social platforms, and video sites—that made copying and remixing effortless.
Once platforms learned to recommend what performs well, meme distribution accelerated. A meme could hop between communities in hours, then mutate as each group applied the template to its own topics.
From early internet to TikTok-era formats
Different eras produced different dominant meme styles. Older forums leaned heavily on text, link posts, and image macros. Later, webcam culture and reaction videos created a new kind of meme: something you “react” to, then repurpose in your own response.
Short-form video platforms added another layer: memes could be built from timing, edits, and audio snippets that viewers recognize instantly. A meme might be less about a single image and more about a sound cue plus a predictable structure.
