Year after year, we are blessed with so many Internet memes. Some stink, but some just can’t make us stop laughing that we feel compelled to share them. Here are some of the best of all time.
Harlem Shake
This is perhaps the quickest internet fad ever. One day everyone loved it, the next day they couldn’t stand it. It can best be described as the viral successor to “Gangnam Style.” “Harlem Shake” is a popular style of hip hop dance and the title of a 2012 heavy bass instrumental track produced by Baauer. In this past month, the video has spawned a series of dance videos in numerous different scenarios that begin with one individual dancing, and the rest following. More than 4,000 videos have been uploaded to YouTube daily featuring friends, groups, colleges, high schools, including here at Elk Grove, that have all succumbed to the phenomenon, according to Social News Daily.
Nigel Thornberry
Remember that one time Nigel Thornberry from “The Wild Thornberrys” said this: “I’ll do this with my hands. BLAAARGHH”? That BLAAARGHH has arguably become the most underappreciated meme on the Internet. Take it and insert it into a popular radio song and a fresh new hit is born. Have you heard One Direction feat. Nigel Thornberry in “What Makes You BLAAARGHH” or Niki Minaj feat. Nigel Thornberry in “Super BLAARGHH”? Really, these songs could be the next big thing.
Numa Numa
Sometimes harmless jokes between friends can turn into a national sensation. Such is the case with the Numa Numa meme. Numa Numa originated from Gary Brolsma when he made a video of him lip singing “Dragostea din tea” by Maldovan pop group O-Zone that was meant to be a joke to a friend. It blew up after it was uploaded to YouTube with many imitations including insertions into clips from popular television shows and cartoons.
Rickroll
Here’s another meme that’s a little old, but still very under appreciated. In this meme, a user posts a link to the famous song by Rick Astley, “Never Gonna Give You Up” and add something like, “Look! Cute cats eat pancakes!” Another unsuspecting internet user clicks the link, ready to turn into mush at the sight of the cats, but instead he is sent straight to the super cheesy 80s song. Even though internet users have been Rickroll’d since 2001, it’s still inspired YouTubers like Alex Day and Hank Green from the Vlogbrothers to create their own versions.
Geddan
This meme definitely makes you want to “Get Down.”Get Down,” also known as ‘Geddan,’ is a Japanese remix fad that was originally caused by a glitch in a Nintendo 64 game. The glitch caused characters and objects to writhe in mid-air if the cartridge was partially entered into the gaming console. Since 2008, this glitch phenomenon has inspired an extensive collection of dance parodies and re-enactment videos.
By: Tom Scearce and Ellie Papadakis