Memes have become a staple of internet culture, with some even becoming mainstream and crossing over into the real world. But not all memes are created equal. In fact, some are downright terrible. Let’s take a look back at some of the worst memes in history.
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The “Arrow in the Knee” Meme
Back in 2011, the “Arrow in the Knee” meme was all the rage. It originated from a line spoken by a guard in the video game Skyrim, but quickly spread to the internet as users began to create their own versions of the phrase. It got to the point where it was overused and became more annoying than funny.
Response from Reddit user u/Captain_Crunch93: “I remember when this was everywhere. It got old real quick.”
The “Harlem Shake” Meme
In 2013, the “Harlem Shake” meme took over the internet. It involved a group of people dancing to the song “Harlem Shake” by Baauer, but then transitioning to a chaotic dance party. While it was popular for a brief moment, it quickly became overused and repetitive.
Response from Twitter user @TheRealJimbob: “I cringe thinking about the Harlem Shake. It was fun for like a day, but then it was just annoying.”
The “Doge” Meme
While the “Doge” meme may have been cute and funny at first, it quickly became overused and lost its charm. The meme featured a dog with captions written in broken English and Comic Sans font. It was all over social media for a while, but eventually became tiresome.
Response from Instagram user @puglover123: “I used to love the Doge meme, but now it just makes me roll my eyes.”
The “Gangnam Style” Meme
In 2012, the “Gangnam Style” music video by Korean artist Psy became a viral sensation. The video featured a catchy tune and a hilarious dance, but it quickly became overplayed and lost its charm. The meme was everywhere, from social media to talk shows, but eventually faded away.
Response from YouTube user Joe Schmo: “I remember when everyone was doing the Gangnam Style dance. It was funny at first, but then it got old real quick.”
The “Dat Boi” Meme
The “Dat Boi” meme may have been popular for a brief moment in 2016, but it quickly became one of the worst memes of all time. It featured a frog on a unicycle with the phrase “here come dat boi” written in a speech bubble. It made no sense and was just plain stupid.
Response from Facebook user Jane Smith: “I never understood the Dat Boi meme. It was just dumb.”
The “Salt Bae” Meme
The “Salt Bae” meme started in 2017 and featured Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe sprinkling salt on meat in a dramatic way. While it was entertaining at first, it quickly became overused and lost its appeal. The meme was all over social media, but eventually became tiresome.
Response from Twitter user @Foodie4Life: “The Salt Bae meme was funny for a while, but then it just got old. I don’t want to see another video of someone sprinkling salt on their food.”
The “Yanny vs. Laurel” Meme
In 2018, the “Yanny vs. Laurel” meme took over the internet. It involved a debate over whether a voice was saying “Yanny” or “Laurel.” While it was entertaining for a brief moment, it quickly became overused and repetitive.
Response from Reddit user u/SoundGuy87: “The Yanny vs. Laurel meme was interesting at first, but then it just became annoying. I don’t want to hear that audio clip ever again.”
The “Woman Yelling at a Cat” Meme
The “Woman Yelling at a Cat” meme became popular in 2019 and featured a picture of a woman yelling at a cat sitting at a table. While it was funny at first, it quickly became overused and lost its charm. The meme was all over social media, but eventually became tiresome.
Response from Instagram user @CatLoverForever: “I used to love the Woman Yelling at a Cat meme, but now it’s just old news. Let’s move on to something new.”
The “Bernie Sanders’ Mittens” Meme
While the “Bernie Sanders’ Mittens” meme may be recent, it’s already become one of the worst memes of all time. It features a picture of Senator Bernie Sanders at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration wearing mittens. While it was funny at first, it quickly became overused and lost its charm.
Response from Twitter user @PoliticalJunkie: “Can we please move on from the Bernie Sanders’ Mittens meme? It’s not funny anymore.”
The “Karen” Meme
The “Karen” meme became popular in 2020 and featured a stereotype of a middle-aged, entitled white woman who complains and demands to speak to the manager. While it may have been funny at first, it quickly became overused and lost its charm. The meme was all over social media, but eventually became tiresome.
Response from Facebook user John Doe: “The Karen meme was amusing at first, but now it’s just played out. Let’s move on to something new.”
The “Zoom Memes for Self-Quarantine” Meme
The “Zoom Memes for Self-Quarantine” meme became popular in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It featured memes about working from home and attending virtual meetings on Zoom. While it may have been relatable at first, it quickly became overused and lost its charm.
Response from Reddit user u/HomeOfficeHero: “I’m so sick of the Zoom Memes for Self-Quarantine. It was funny at first, but now it’s just repetitive.”
The “Among Us” Meme
The “Among Us” meme became popular in 2020 and features memes about the popular video game of the same name. While it may have been entertaining at first, it quickly became overused and repetitive. The meme was all over social media, but eventually became tiresome.
Response from Twitter user @GamerGirl23: “I used to love the Among Us meme, but now it’s just played out. Let’s move on to something new.”
While memes can be entertaining and funny, some are just plain terrible. These memes may have had their moment in the sun, but eventually became overused and lost their appeal. Let’s hope that future memes can stand the test of time and not become the worst memes of all time.
