The world of the internet is brimming with humor, and memes are its arguably most popular form of expression. With millions being shared daily, it's natural to wonder: what's the most funny meme in the world? The answer is complex, as humor is subjective. However, some memes have stood the test of time and continue to generate laughter worldwide.
To qualify for the 'most funny meme' title, a meme must be recognizable, timeless, and versatile. It should have been a viral phenomenon, spawned countless spinoffs, and continued to make people laugh even after years in circulation. Let's delve into two iconic memes that fit these criteria.
Harlem Shake
The Harlem Shake meme, originating in 2013, was a viral sensation that took the internet by storm. It started with a seemingly uneventful video of a group of people dancing to the song 'Harlem Shake' by Baauer. Suddenly, at around 15 seconds in, the scene exploded with unexpected revelry, and the real dance began.
What made this meme hilarious was its simplicity and the unexpected twist. People loved it so much that they created their own versions, often incorporating costumes, props, and unconventional settings. At its peak, the Harlem Shake was everywhere - schools, workplaces, even on a plane! It was a global celebration of spontaneous chaos, making it one of the most memorable funny memes of all time.
Inception of the Harlem Shake
The original Harlem Shake video on YouTube was uploaded by Filthy Frank in February 2013. It featured a group of people in animal masks, initially sitting still in a car, then suddenly breaking into dance. The video's abrupt shift was comical, and the internet took notice.
The second wave of the meme began when a group of students at sunny, upstate New York's Meteoric Heights High decided to make their own version for YouTube. Their video ditches the car setting and introduces a whole new level of enjoyment with its CMV (Δetnik military vehicle) costume. From there, the Harlem Shake exploded, prompting thousands of copycat videos worldwide.
Harlem Shake's Global Impact
The meme's viral success led to Harlem Shake dances being choreographed for Broadway shows. Even celebrities joined in, with Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake leading an epic 106.5 Megamix version on The Tonight Show.
The move was even attempted in space by NASA astronaut Chris Hadfield during his mission aboard the International Space Station. Yes, the Harlem Shake was (literally) out of this world!
Giraffe Clicking Things
Though less Floss-like in its viral journey, the Giraffe Clicking Things meme deserves a shoutout. It's simple, relatable, and uses what's perhaps the internet's most favorite animal: the giraffe. It features a sadly nodding, neck-swiveling giraffe watching as a man repeatedly clicks things on a laptop, which the giraffe can't see but expects to be entertaining.
The meme's humor stems from the giraffe's obvious disappointment, contrasting with our own frustrating experiences with dull gadgets or online content. It's an eminently shareable meme format - just replace the giraffe and the clicking sounds with anything else. Plus, who doesn't love a sad giraffe?
Giraffe Clicking Things' Origin
This meme began as a Twitter post by @mrgaylordt in February 2020. In his tweet, the giraffe gif is accompanied by a caption expressing frustration at the uninteresting sounds. Users responded, relating to their collective disdain for mundane online noise.
The tweet quickly gained traction, and before long, people were creating variations with different sound effects and scenarios. The meme's success lies in its relatable frustration and the adorable, melancholic giraffe - an unlikely internet hero.
Giraffe Clicking Things' Versatility
The meme adapted swiftly to various platforms and themes. On TikTok, users started setting the gif to the repetitive beat of songs like "Roses" by Iann Dior and ran into the shot, "clicking things" like doors, drawers, or changing iphone apps. Meanwhile, Reddit users began crafting cleverly captioned gifs, converting the meme into a quiz format.
And thus, the 'most funny meme' debate continues, fueled by the ever-changing tide of internet trends. However, one thing's certain: these memes remind us that humor doesn't always need complexity; sometimes, it's the simple, relatable moments that make us laugh the most. So, keep laughing, keep sharing, and let's look forward to the next wave of hilarious memes on the horizon.