Memes have been a staple of internet culture for years, but not all of them are winners. In fact, some of them are downright cringeworthy. As we approach the end of the decade, it’s time to take a look back at some of the worst memes of the past 10 years. From the “Harlem Shake” to “Cash Me Outside,” here are some of the most cringe-inducing internet trends that we’d rather forget.
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The “Harlem Shake”
Remember when everyone was doing the “Harlem Shake” in 2013? This viral dance craze involved a group of people dancing to the song “Harlem Shake” by Baauer, and then suddenly cutting to a scene where everyone is dressed in crazy costumes and dancing wildly. While it was fun for a hot minute, the trend quickly became overplayed and annoying. One person on Twitter said, “The ‘Harlem Shake’ was the worst thing to happen to the internet. It was funny for like two days and then it just got old.”
“Damn, Daniel”
In 2016, a video of a teenager named Daniel Lara went viral. In the video, his friend would repeatedly say “Damn, Daniel” while showing off his friend’s white Vans sneakers. The trend quickly spread, and people were saying “Damn, Daniel” to anyone wearing white shoes. While the trend was harmless, it was also pretty annoying. A user on Reddit said, “I don’t understand why ‘Damn, Daniel’ was a thing. It’s not even funny.”
The “Cash Me Outside” Girl
In 2016, a 13-year-old girl named Danielle Bregoli appeared on an episode of Dr. Phil. During the episode, she famously said, “Cash me outside, how ’bout dah?” The phrase went viral, and Bregoli became a meme. She even went on to launch a music career. While some people found her antics amusing, others found her to be a bratty teenager who didn’t deserve the attention. A commenter on YouTube said, “I can’t believe people actually thought the ‘Cash Me Outside’ girl was cool. She’s just a spoiled kid who needs to learn some manners.”
The “Distracted Boyfriend” Meme
In 2017, a stock photo of a man looking at another woman while his girlfriend looks on in disapproval went viral. The image was turned into a meme, with people using it to make jokes about infidelity and being distracted. While it was initially funny, the meme quickly became overused and repetitive. A user on Twitter said, “I’m so tired of seeing the ‘Distracted Boyfriend’ meme. Can we please move on to something else?”
The “Yanny vs. Laurel” Debate
In 2018, a viral audio clip divided the internet. Some people heard the word “Yanny,” while others heard “Laurel.” The debate was heated, with people arguing over which word was correct. While it was a fun distraction for a few days, it quickly became tiresome. A commenter on Facebook said, “I can’t believe people are still talking about the ‘Yanny vs. Laurel’ thing. It’s been months. Let it go.”
Conclusion
While memes can be a fun way to connect with others online, not all of them are winners. These cringe-inducing trends of the past decade are proof that sometimes, it’s better to just let a fad die out. Who knows what the next decade will bring in terms of internet trends, but hopefully they’ll be a little less cringeworthy than these ones.
