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this post was submitted on 28 Dec 2025
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memes
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the word meme gained a second definition on the internet, which is similar to the first but focused on specifically things intended to be funny. because context is a part of language whether you like it or not, that meaning is the one that is being used any time you see the word on the internet unless otherwise specified or unless the context in which you're seeing it is one where the other is more appropriate (like a discussion about linguistics or the spread of ideas).
Nothing in either definition requires them to be funny
The irony of this reasoning is that the things spread as memes you do not think should be called memes because they are not "intended to be funny" are called memes by a vast majority of people on the internet. Making them memes, whether you like it or not.
You're presuming most people regard text on a selfie as a meme.
I'm convinced the majority of people think a meme is a recurring image format with humerous intent (more or less).
For what its worth, I'm of the opinion that words are not prescribed, words are defined by their use.
This may seem contradictory, until you realise that you can't just let every definition of a word be equal and valid.
If my definition of a meme was a blue towel, which was shared by ten other people, then asking you to fetch my meme (blue towel) is moronic.
I would argue that memes aren't necessarily meant to be funny. I think the most important component of a meme is its composition, which is usually a square image with optional text. But yeah, I completely agree with your broader points.
Thats an image macro which is a specific type of Internet meme. Although I’ve never heard of someone suggesting they must be square; that seems very odd. Are the meme police checking height:width ratios now?
People holding onto the idea that memes should be defined by their original context are using the same rhetoric as those who insist it's okay to call cigarettes "fags"