At this time of year, we reflect on our past accomplishments and mistakes in hopes to create a better future for ourselves.
In spite of the economy, political events, disasters and impending doom, we have one sure thing that will happen next year: Internet Memes.
A meme is defined by Google as "An image, video, etc. that is passed electronically from one Internet user to another." These memes are passed along social media sites and eventually affect pop culture.
Memes give us that 5-minute break from a hectic day or show us our own follies with a spoon full of awesome.
So before we jump into next year with all of its yet-unposted memes, let's take a look back and see what we've been laughing at in 2012.
1. Ridiculously Photogenic Guy
In March of this year, a photo was posted to Reddit about the 'exceptional handsomeness' and interestingly non-sweaty picture of a runner in the 2012 Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, South Carolina. The picture became an 'advice animal' (an image with black and white text on the top and bottom) joking about his unusually dapper appearance for a marathon runner.
The meme exploded into all of the major social media sites, and the internet soon learned the identity of the runner. A man named Zeddie Little came forward and made the rounds of talk shows, such as the Today Show, as the mystery man in the image. He's put his fame to use as he continues to run for charity marathons.
2. Overly Attached Girlfriend
In June, Justin Bieber announced a sing-off competition in which fans would post their renditions of Justin Beiber's song "Boyfriend." One user named
wzr0713 uploaded a different kind of rendition, in which she made incredibly creepy faces and rewrote the lyrics to sound like a psychopath. Created as a joke, the video received over one million views in less than 48 hours after it was uploaded. The creator of the video, named Laina (who wishes to keep her last name private), created subsequent 'overly attached girlfriend' videos to the tune of Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Call Me Maybe' and the like.
Here is the shiver-inducing original video:
Laina decided to use her fame for charity, recently raising money for charitable organizations with her "Dare to Share" videos in which Laina will perform dares and challenges by those who have donated.
3. Grumpy Cat
A small cat named Tardar Sauce (or 'Tard' as he is affectionately called) captured the internet's attention with his unique look, spawning a number of images.
The Grumpy Cat meme began on social media sites, and the Reddit image post that began Tard's claim to fame reached over one million views within the first 48 hours.
Tard's popularity can be attributed to his unique appearance which always seems dour and grumpy. Tabatha Bundesen, the owner of Tard, has posted multiple photos and videos of Tard's daily life online, as well as making the rounds with major news outlets.
5. Pet Shaming
A event in meme history occured this year with a trend 'pet shaming.' The trend exploded with popularity, featuring user-submitted photos on multiple Tumblr, Reddit and blog accounts of animals looking guilty alongside notes written by their owners, explaining their crimes.
Many sites such as
Petshaming.net featured user content and are updated daily. There are over 20 tumblr accounts dedicated to pet shaming as well.
6. Krispy KremeThis year, a Youtube user named Tyler Cassidy posted a homemade rap video under the pseudonym Krispy Kreme. The claims in the video are so outlandish that they become incredibly humorous. His first video was quickly shared across major social media sites, and within a month of posting gained over two million views.
7. Ermahgerd
One of the most hilarious memes of the year began with a Reddit posting of what looked like a picture taken in the 1990s. In the photo, a teenage girl is holding up Goosebumps books, and text is added to read as if she were speaking with a retainer in her mouth. The absurdity of the image was so popular that it not only spread to every social site within a few weeks of its posting, but spawned numerous other 'sub-memes.'
The identity and origin of the photo remain a mystery, but many claim that the photo represents their childhood loves in the 90's, along with the most awkward moments of their lives. So far two girls have come forward claiming to be the subject of the photo, but neither have provided the photo itself as proof.
8. Gangnam StyleWhile this video may have surpassed the 'meme' status into national sensation, it may be said that it's current popularity was due to the amount of sharing it received across social media sites, as PSY did not use a traditional marketing campaign in the United States.
9. McKlayla is not impressed
In August, American Olympian McKayla Maroney performed a vault routine for the London Games. However, during her second vault she slipped and landed on her back.
Maroney ended up taking Silver in the event, and this photo (right) was snapped of her during the ceremonies.
Maroney's obvious disappointment was quickly translated into an advice animal. Her face was photoshopped into a number of popular events, from Kanye taking Taylor Swift's mic to presidential debates.
The meme became so popular that even the Commander-in-Chief took notice.
10. Honey Boo Boo
(I saved the best for last.)
Sometime in 2012, the TLC reality series
Toddlers and Tiaras featured one of its most unusual families (and that is a stretch for the cringe-inducing show).
The subjects of this episode included a family with a little girl named Alana. Affectionately using the term "Honey Boo Boo Child" multiple times in the video, Alana was a child beauty pageant contestant. However, her family stole the spotlight. Her mother, June, called herself the Coupon Queen, and we were treated to the stores and stores of household goods they stored in their living room and dining room. We also saw the famous "Go Go Juice" (a mixture of Mountain Dew, Red Bull and other caffeinated drinks) that June gives to her daughter to keep her active during pageants.
The video became so popular that TLC noticed, and offered June's family their own series which quickly debuted later this year.
With the TV Show, we were treated to this family's inner workings, which included eating food off the floor, neck (c)rust, and the reason why June wears a sock at all times.
Here is the video that began the sensation:
