The Funniest Memes of 2017
The internet has been through a lot in 2017, to put it simply. But when tweeters and Facebook commenters weren't tearing each other apart on divisive issues (from Trump's presidency to Blake Shelton's title as "Sexiest Man Alive"), they were circulating some hilarious content. Below are some of the biggest, funniest and most outrageous memes of the year.
1. Distracted Boyfriend
What started out as a stock photo of a thirsty significant other (which photographer Antonio Guillem shot in 2015) became an online sensation when the internet used it as the perfect way to sum up wanting something and ignoring what you already have.
2. Roll Safe
Terrible (but kind of amazing) advice spread through the web with the help of this screenshot from the web series Hood Documentary.
Some variations included different but equally applicable photos.
3. White Guy Blinking
This gif became the best, most relatable way to express your surprise, no matter how predictable the situation was. Though now a viral sensation, the scene started off as a moment from Giant Bomb's Unprofessional Fridays video, featuring its unexpected breakout star, Drew Scanlon.
4. Mocking Spongebob
Spongebob got new life in 2017 as the poster child for some of the most savage clap-backs with the smallest amount of effort required—all you had to do was repeat what was said iN aLtErNaTiNg CaPs.
5. The Floor Is
The "floor is lava" game from your childhood was reincarnated this year into a meme that perfectly sums up how you feel about things you avoid or dislike.
But further variations of the trend went in the opposite direction.
6. Nothing But Respect for My President
Over the summer, Twitter user @makenna_mg accidentally kicked off a viral trend when she cleaned off Donald Trump's vandalized star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and captioned the photos, "Nothing by respect for MY president." People followed suit, first by cleaning up other celebrities' Hollywood Stars, and then by applying the caption to other hilarious situations.
7. This Is the Future Liberals Want
An uber-conservative tweet from @polNewsNetwork1 (whose account appears to be suspended) aimed to criticize a photo featuring a woman in a niqab and a man in drag sitting next to each other on the subway. (What's so wrong with that?) The post quickly backfired.
8. Living in 3017
This year, the internet decided that if you discovered a clever life hack, you're basically living in the future.
9. What "Redbone" Sounds Like
Childish Gambino's Grammy-nominated soul-funk track, "Redbone," got the viral treatment after one tweeter recorded and shared what the song would sound like from the bathroom in the middle of a makeout sesh. Other tweeters followed along with their own hilarious edits.
10. Salt Bae
Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe owns an entire chain of steakhouses, but his big claim to fame was a video of him dressing a steak for the grill with the utmost finesse. His suave salt-sprinkling soon became a metaphor for being extra and loving it.
11. Snapchat Hotdog
Snapchat threw us an absolute curveball when it added this CGI hotdog to its arsenal of filters. Though the feature confused users at first, it soon turned into a lovable internet sensation.
The videos were even better.
12. Meryl Streep Singing
Footage of Meryl Streep cheering on Debbie Reynolds at the 2015 SAG Awards resurfaced in the form of a meme, where the Oscar-winning actress shouts out the words to some of your favorite songs (and other famous phrases).
13. Homeboy's Gonna, Like, Get It
An unexpected shoe meme arose after Bella Hadid made some confusing comments during an episode of Complex's Sneaker Shopping series. "If homeboy's coming through with these it's quiet for him," she said, pointing to one sneaker. "But if he comes through in, like, these," she continued, pointing to another sneaker, "Homeboy's gonna like, get it."
The internet responded with no chill:
14. "I Love This Woman and Her Curvy Body"
Over the summer, Instagram user @tripp unknowingly sparked an online trend after posing a photo with his wife. It's a gorgeous photo, but he received backlash for his lengthy caption, which began with, "I love this woman and her curvy body." He continued to pat himself on the back for being attracted to "girls on the thicker side," despite being bullied for it as a teen. (So brave!)
The internet responded perfectly.
15. Spotify Playlist Messages
Playlists took on a whole new function when people started spelling out sentences with song titles. The messages began as clever breakup lines or flirty notes, but they eventually adapted to almost any situation.
16. Beyoncé Ordering Food
Months before giving birth to her twins, Beyoncé shared a photo from a dinner out with friends where she held a up a menu and appeared to be speaking to a waitress. Twitter had the best guesses for what she might have said.
17. Kendall Jenner's Pepsi Ad
Kendall Jenner caused a stir earlier this year when she starred in a tone-deaf Pepsi commercial that showed her ending a peaceful protest by sharing a can of soda with a cop. The ad was soon criticized for capitalizing on the image of social movements, and was later taken down and discontinued entirely. However, after the enraged responses were posted, hilarious (and at times cringeworthy) tweets and memes came next, driving home how ridiculous the concept behind the commercial really was.
18. First of All...
Three simple words led to some of the sassiest retorts our timelines saw this year.
19. Obamacare vs. GOP Replacement
When House Republicans revealed
their plan for repealing and replacing Obamacare in March this year, it didn't look so great. It would likely "leave more Americans uninsured" and would be a disadvantage to low-income citizens. While the rest of the internet argued over policy, some people commented on the healthcare bill with the perfect photos to compare the two plans.
We look forward to all of the crazy memes 2018 will bring.
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now.
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