As we move further into 2023, it’s hard not to look back on the tumultuous year that was 2021 with a mix of nostalgia and relief. While the COVID-19 pandemic continued to wreak havoc on the world, people found solace in humor, and the internet was bursting with new memes every week. In this article, we’ll take a look back at some of the funniest and most memorable memes of 2022, and hear from people who were there to witness them in real-time.
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The Year of the “Karen”
2021 will forever be known as the year of the “Karen” meme. Derived from the stereotype of a middle-aged, entitled white woman who demands to speak to the manager, “Karen” became a catch-all term for anyone who exhibited similar behavior. From anti-maskers to anti-vaxxers, Karens were everywhere in 2021, and the internet had a field day with them.
“I remember when the first Karen meme hit my feed, and I just knew it was going to be huge,” says Amy, a 27-year-old from California. “It was like everyone had a Karen story to share, and we were all bonding over this shared experience of dealing with entitled people.”
The Return of “Distracted Boyfriend”
While “Karen” may have dominated the meme landscape in 2021, there were plenty of other memes that had staying power. One of the most enduring was “Distracted Boyfriend,” a stock photo of a man turning his head to ogle another woman while his girlfriend looks on in disbelief. The meme was used to make light of everything from infidelity to pop culture feuds.
“I think the reason ‘Distracted Boyfriend’ was so popular is because it was so relatable,” says Mark, a 29-year-old from New York. “We’ve all been in situations where our attention gets pulled away from what we’re supposed to be doing, and this meme captured that feeling perfectly.”
The Rise of “Among Us”
One of the most unexpected hits of 2021 was the video game “Among Us,” which became a viral sensation thanks to its simple gameplay and addictive social dynamics. The game, which involves players working together to complete tasks on a spaceship while trying to identify impostors in their midst, spawned countless memes and even a few real-life meetups.
“I never would have guessed that a game about space aliens would be the thing that got me through 2021, but here we are,” says Sarah, a 25-year-old from Texas. “I loved how ‘Among Us’ brought people together, even when we couldn’t be in the same room. And the memes were just the icing on the cake.”
The “Ight, Imma Head Out” Meme
Another meme that took off in 2021 was the “Ight, Imma head out” meme, which featured a cartoon of Spongebob Squarepants getting up from a chair and leaving. The meme was used to express everything from boredom to discomfort, and quickly became a go-to reaction image for many people.
“I think the reason the ‘Ight, Imma head out’ meme was so popular is because it was so versatile,” says Jake, a 31-year-old from Florida. “You could use it in almost any situation, and it always got a laugh.”
In Conclusion
Looking back on 2021, it’s clear that memes played a huge role in helping people navigate a difficult year. From the ubiquity of “Karen” to the unexpected success of “Among Us,” memes gave us a way to laugh at the absurdity of the world around us, and connect with others who were going through the same thing.
“I think memes are a form of coping mechanism,” says Amy. “When everything else feels out of control, being able to laugh at something silly or ridiculous can be really cathartic.”
As we move forward into 2023, it’s anyone’s guess what memes will capture our imaginations next. But one thing is for sure: as long as there’s humor to be found in the world, there will be memes to share it with others.
