KYM Review: Reaction Images of 2017

Editor’s Note: This article is part of Know Your Meme’s annual review series looking back at some of the most memorable and popular memes, events and people that defined internet culture in 2017 as we know it.

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he Internet feeds on reaction. A sounding board for just about everything, online discussion is what people turn to the internet for. It's a chance to see what a stranger thinks, smack your forehead and think, "What an idiot." Sure, most of the reactions are negative, but that doesn't mean that you have to respond, in depth, to every dumb thing people say on here. That's where the reaction image comes in. A language of its own, the reaction image is one of the most popular types of memes for a reason: Anyone can use and understand them. 2017 has been a banner year for the Reaction Image, launching a number of memes that seem destined to become all timers. So get your comments ready because here are the top reaction images of 2017 in chronological order.

Roll Safe

It doesn't take a lot of critical thinking to figure out why "Roll Safe" tapped its temple all the way to the list. Kayode Ewumi's inviting grin and a host of image macros have made the picture the 2017 go to for poor decision making, followed by an even more illogical justification. Since popping in popularity in January, "Roll Safe" has made the internet a better place, eclipsing the popularity of almost every other image on this list without ever tiring. Endless applicabilty makes a good meme, and there are few places that "Roll Safe" isn't welcome. After all, you can't have a "Best Meme" list, if you don't have the Best Meme. Thankfully, we do.

Winona Ryder's SAG Award Reaction

Of all the great things Stranger Things has done, ushering in the Winona-sance, might be the most vital. Had they not cast her as Will Meyers paranoid mother, we may not have received the series of bonkers reaction faces she delivered at the 2017 SAG awards in January of this year. Ryder's reaction to her co-stars David Harbour's politically-charged acceptance speech became an instant meme, shared widely throughout the Internet and providing us with a wealth of reactions for any occasion, whether were happy, sad, confused or scared-- it's basically an entire emoji keyboard

Drew Scanlon Reaction

Let's just go ahead and name the Drew Scanlon Reaction as the official face of 2017. The slow blink and head tilt of a man who cannot believe what he's hearing has been the go-to gif for just about everything said online this year, giving us the perfect face for a world gone temporarily insane. While the meme has been around for a years, it wasn't until 2017 that it really caught on and thankfully it did, becuase it has been one saving grace in a world frought with confusing and scary headlines. Keep blinking, Drew. We need you more than ever.

You're Doing Amazing Sweetie

For all the negativity on the Internet, there's nothing like getting a little support from mom. Kris Jenner is nothing, if not America's mother. Well, maybe not, but she's certainly provided us all with a little helping hand. Taken from a bizarre moment from Keeping Up with the Kardashians, when Kris snapped pictures and cheered her daughter on during a nude Playboy photoshoot, "You're Doing Amazing Sweetie" has been used both in earnest and in jest for the the past year, peaking in popularity in 2017, as the catchphrase has been appropriated to other photos, sans Jenner. Still, it's her immortal words that keep us motivated.

Understandable, Have a Nice Day

In a venn diagram of wholesome and deep-fried memes, "Understandable, Have a Nice Day" would be in the cross-section. The meme, which started as Shaq responding to news that "food broke," has become a rallying call for an easy out of any bad conversation, terrible argument or all-around unwanted situation you might find yourself in. What's more, the meme has maintained popularity throughout 2017, meaning that people will likely continue to be so understanding for years to come.

Oh No Baby! What Is You Doin???

Some of the best reaction images become so ubiquitous that it can be hard to imagine that they've only been a part of the internet for a few months. For example, did you realize that "Oh No Baby! What Is You Doin???" is only about nine months old. The composite of two of Nick Joseph's prank videos, "What Is You Doin???" became a popular catchphrase and image macro over the last year, becoming so popular on Instagram and Twitter that it can often feel as thoguh it's older than it is. That's probably due to how perfect the expression and face are together. Much like Drew Scanlon's reaction, "What is you doin???" is that wonderful kind of online reaction that sums exactly how it feels to see someone make a mistake.

Hey There Demons

Self deprication is the second language of the internet. If nothing else, social media has given us all an outlet to talk about how horrible we can be, and "Hey There Demons" is an acknowledgment of that. Typically used in response to one's own lack of self care, "Hey There Demons" offers a casual response to one's own mental health problems. The cheeky addition of "it's ya boy" certainly helps things. This type of off-the-cuff self deprecation found quick popularity online, where it has thrived since coming into being on an episode of BuzzFeed's Unsolved Supernatural, and it looks like it's going to have a long after life as well.

Skyrim Skill Tree

Skyrim's popularity was bound to unleash a ton of memes this year, but none had the same kind of impact as the "Skyrim Skill Tree." Similar to Fake XBOX 360 Achievements,, the Skill Tree sarcastically rewards proficiency using the language of the game. The seemingly endless ways the captions have kept these memes going since June, and they really show no signs of shopping. They're easy to create and are frequently satisfying, even if you've never played the game.

Now This Looks Like a Job for Me

Eminem is the early 2000s dominant edgelord, so it's no surprise that a line of his would unlock a new series of edgy memes. "Now This Looks Like a Job For Me" comes from the video for Eminem's song "Without Me," and in 2017, it was impossible to look at Reddit without seeing job after job for him. In the early days of summer, it took on a life of its own, captioning edgy, dank memes that get more eye-rolls than laughs. Frankly, the more wholesome response to these memes are where "Now This Looks Like a Job for Me" really excelled, but it's probably it's the edgy examples that probably kept Redditors coming back for more, and keeping the meme in our sights throughout the year.

Jazz Music Stops

Making a late appearance to the list, "Jazz Music Stops" received a flurry of attention toward the end of the year, providing the perfect face and expression for when someone says something offensive, similar to a record scratch in a movie. But "Jazz Music Stops" has a number of things going for it, from the face of the musician to the on-going mystery of who painted it. Still, when the full drawing was released in November 2017, it only made the face better. "Jazz Music Stops" is a perfect reaction image, one that's as specific as it is applicable. The meme that has already seen dozens of variations and will likely to continue to grow in popularity over the next year.