Ep.3 - The Origin of Meme

What exactly is a meme? In this episode of Lexiconned, we dive into the fascinating origin story of the word that dominates our internet culture. From its surprising beginnings as a concept in evolutionary biology, coined by Richard Dawkins in the 1970s, to its rapid evolution into a language of its own online, we uncover how "meme" transformed from cultural genes to viral sensations. Along the way, we explore what makes a meme truly meme-worthy, revisit some classic internet moments (Dancing Baby, anyone?), and examine how memes have shaped everything from political movements to brand marketing. Join TJ for a witty, insightful journey through linguistic history and digital culture that will have you looking at your favorite memes in a whole new light.

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Transcript

TJ Martin (Host)

0:04
Music. Welcome to Lexiconned, the podcast where words get their stories straight and we cut through the linguistic fog to uncover the truth. And today we're diving into a word that has taken the internet by storm, a word that refuses to log off. Meme.
0:20
You've seen them, you've laughed at them, maybe you've even created one. But seriously, what is a meme? I'm sure you're thinking through the last few you've seen So is it just a funny picture with text, a viral video, or is it something far more profound? Today, we're peeling back the layers of meme, a word that's been on quite a journey. And spoiler alert, it didn't start with Grumpy Cat.
0:45
So let's rewind to the 1970s
0:47
long before the internet, when meme was born in the mind of evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. And if you've heard his name before, yes, that Richard Dawkins, the guy who's famous for debating atheism on YouTube and writing books that you bought just to look smart.
1:03
Now, in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene, he introduced meme as a unit of cultural transmission, something that spreads from person to person, much like genes spread biological traits, a cultural gene, if you will. And he chose the term meme from the Greek word memma, meaning something imitated,
1:25
pro tip, it is pronounced meme, by the way, not mem or me may file that under things that drive linguists crazy.
1:34
But here's the twist, Dawkins wasn't thinking about Lolcats or Tiktok dances. He was talking about cultural phenomena like fashion trends, Proverbs, or even the spread of musical styles. The Internet, however, had far bigger plans for this word. Fast forward to the early 2000s as the internet exploded with user generated content and meme got a whole new job description. It became shorthand for any piece of media that spreads rapidly online. And while Dawkins imagined memes evolving over centuries, the internet sped things up. Now memes can go viral worldwide in hours. Remember piano cat or peanut butter jelly time, classic internet gold, and those early internet memes like dancing baby or Velociraptor, they were simple, often pixelated and hilariously awkward. But as social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Reddit emerged, memes evolved into a language all their own.
2:32
So what makes a meme a meme is it just anything that goes viral? Not quite memes typically have three defining traits. They're relatable, they're shareable, and they're remixable. Take the distracted boyfriend meme, it's just one stock photo, but its versatility has turned it into an endless template for jokes about priorities, relationships and even politics. But memes aren't just for laughs anymore. They're tools for communication, even resistance. Think about how political movements have used memes to spread messages, like during the 2016 US presidential election or Tiktok activism, memes have also infiltrated advertising. Brands are desperate to go viral, often by creating or CO opting memes. And sometimes it works, but let's be honest, other times it's just cringe worthy.
3:25
So is the modern meme still faithful to Dawkins original concept, the concept as a unit of cultural transmission in a way? Yes, both cultural and internet memes are about spreading ideas. They evolve, they adapt, and sometimes they mutate beyond recognition. Dawkins himself has acknowledged this evolution, even if it's not what he originally envisioned. At its heart, a meme is about connection, whether it's an ancient proverb or a dog in sunglasses, memes remind us that humans have always found creative ways to communicate and share. The internet just gave us a faster, weirder stage to do it on,
4:03
and that's the story of meme from Richard Dawkins to distracted boyfriend. It's a word that's evolved right alongside us. Thanks for joining me on this journey through linguistic history and internet culture. If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share and leave a review, and if you have a favorite meme, please send it our way on social media
4:22
As always, Lexiconned is written, recorded and produced by me. Your logo file companion, TJ Martin, sources and additional credits are in the show notes. Thanks for listening. See you next time you.