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In reply to the discussion: What the hell is a meme? [View all]

dawg day

(7,947 posts)
4. A meme is like a "theme" in a story-
Sat Jun 27, 2020, 03:54 PM
Jun 2020

An idea that means something, and it's expressed in a way that gets taken up and used by a lot of other people. "Black Lives Matter" actually started as a meme, probably. They can be slogans like that, or images (like the Trump-poop emoji), or even dances... but they have to mean more than just the words or picture, and they have to be used by a lot of people.

One I see a lot now is "Keep Calm," which was a meme way back during the Battle of Britain, where they were urged to "Keep Calm and Carry On" despite the bombs falling and Hitler planning an invasion. There were billboards that had that in a particular sort of Britishy font. So I have a pair of pajamas that has emblazoned on the shirt "Keep Calm and Take a Nap" in that same font.

Now we see "Keep Calm and Drink Tea," or "Keep Calm and Eat Your Gummies" and so on.

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What the hell is a meme? [View all] Amy-Strange Jun 2020 OP
Google is your friend billh58 Jun 2020 #1
A meme is simply an idea Miguelito Loveless Jun 2020 #2
Much like a virus? n/t DonaldsRump Jun 2020 #3
That comparison has been made Miguelito Loveless Jun 2020 #5
Which Miguelito are you? Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #9
There is only one Miguelito Loveless Miguelito Loveless Jun 2020 #13
I apologize, and good to know, because I always thought you were the best villain of all time!!! Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #15
No apology necessary, Miguelito Loveless Jun 2020 #18
and slow-motion killing machines... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #20
And we were SO polite, Miguelito Loveless Jun 2020 #23
And during dinner no less. Now, that's class! n/t Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #25
yes. As in "that meme went viral." Voltaire2 Jun 2020 #7
I had a loyal henchman named Voltaire back in the day Miguelito Loveless Jun 2020 #19
Didn't he also do a stint with this ooky family, the Addams? Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #21
No, different fellow Miguelito Loveless Jun 2020 #22
You definitely know your stuff, and... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #24
My mind is mass storehouse of Miguelito Loveless Jun 2020 #26
A meme is like a "theme" in a story- dawg day Jun 2020 #4
Very informative, and... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #11
It's a nickname for Guillermo (William) Xipe Totec Jun 2020 #6
They can be useful lunasun Jun 2020 #8
Thank you everyone. Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #10
Imitation that spreads throughout groups, individuals etc.. Solly Mack Jun 2020 #12
Like a specific culture or group is using it as part of their identity? Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #14
Memes can be both universal and culturally specific. Solly Mack Jun 2020 #16
I stand corrected, and... Amy-Strange Jun 2020 #17
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