KingStarscream

Ok, made some minor clean-up changes. I’m handing this one over to Fridge Logic. Since the dictionary is most likely not going to ever be made, I’ve taken out the reference.

@ all “Dictionary?!” comments:

Yes, a LONG time ago, before Cheezburger Network bought the site, there were plans for a “non-meme but relevant” list they called a dictionary. Not exactly like urban dictionary, but with some similarities. As mentioned in the article, the “Family Guy effect” is not so much a meme in and of itself but a phenomenon which is a result of memes.

@ Magnan:

Yes, that’s true. However, there are other sources that specifically refer to it as the “Family Guy Effect”, even though it had been witnessed before.

Another aspect of it, specific to newer shows (ie, after Seinfeld and the Simpsons) is that it’s specifically an Internet meme reference, and not just any kind of pop culture. Both Seinfeld and the Simpsons got big before the Internet was widespread, and in fact Seinfeld ended beforehand as well.

This is a good point though, and should be incorporated. I can add you as an editor if you want, but still think this should go by its well-known name.

This shows up in the Ghostbusters game in Tobin’s Spirit Guide. If you scan a ghost cake (don’t ask) you get an entry that opens like this…

“Many of my contemporaries in the field of paranormal study believe the cake is a hoax, dreamed up by some mischievous scholars to imply that ghosts require their own form of sustenance.”

What, seriously? This predates the Internet SOOOOO frigging hard.

They had a segment on Crankyankers for this. My dad told me these jokes when I was 5, and he heard then when he was a kid. This is totally mainstream.

Meme yes, Internet meme, no.

…Actually, just mentioning that the exact terminology is mildly debated is good enough for me.

Smashing tale, old chap.

…good lord, when will this end?…

@Girog

Sometimes, but not always. I just mean that they call themselves otaku, and that’s it – none of the bad, poorly-pronounced Japanese or attempts to “fit in”. Many who use the term “otaku” to describe themselves don’t know any Japanese and don’t pretend to. They like Anime and/or Japan and that’s it.

However, I will agree that a LOT of them, though not quite the majority, are flat-out weeaboos who curse their native culture for not being Japanese and scream at you for liking anything that isn’t Japanese, or if it is Japanese and has been localized.

http://www.cracked.com/article/202_8-online-fads-you-didnt-know-were-invented-decades-ago/

Get this:

According to one article in Cracked (looking for it, will comment when I have it), the first “funny cat picture with caption” image was used as an advertisement… in the late 19th century.

Cthulhu is too meta to simple be a meme. Never mind the Mythos started by H. P. Lovecraft was written in the early 1900s. Popularity of the character picked up during the 80s, before the net was widespread. If anything, Cthulhu would be a parent article for derivatives.

Not a meme. Just offensive.

It didn’t start on the internet, get its steam from the internet, or become popular because of the internet. Therefore, not an internet meme.

Please rememeber this: even if it is a meme (not, in this case), it has to be an internet meme for qualification for the database.

This is a meme.

It is made of epic and win.
[citation needed].

Needs more of a description, though the video does pretty much say it all.

“Turn it on, and it turns itself off.”

Definitely has derivitives. It was pretty minor even at its peak, but has spread.

Definitely needs MOAR work, but not quite worth a deadpool til it gets a real chance.

Just because there are fan characters doesn’t make it a meme. It needs parodies and/or derivatives.

As has been stated numerous times, just because something is awesome and popular is not a good enough qualification of becoming a meme.

WOW, necropost on the pics. Seriously, not a meme

+1 confirm, but also +1 work.

BTW, this quote was used in Clerks: the series in the first episode as well.

Took you long enough. I was about to make this one when it was put up.

+1 awesome