The Best Memes That Defined 2023

Memes That Made Us: The Digital Inside Jokes That Shaped Our Year

Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

• Memes are the universal language that bring humor and connection to our lives.
• The rise of “That’s a Red Flag” memes highlights modern dating mishaps.
• “Girl dinner” reflects our chaotic culinary choices and resonates with busy lifestyles.
• The “Sheesh” phenomenon shows how simple expressions can create viral content.
• Nostalgic memes like Doge and Gordon Ramsay’s “It’s Raw!” remind us of the humor in familiarity.

Table of Contents

• Everyone’s Speaking in Memes – Are You Listening?
• The Rise of “That’s a Red Flag” Memes
• How ‘Girl Dinner’ Became Our Favorite Phrase
• The “Sheesh” Phenomenon
• Crying Cat: The Comeback Kid
• The Return of Classic Memes with a 2023 Twist
• What’s Next? The Future of Memes
• Mic-Drop Moment
• FAQ

Everyone’s Speaking in Memes – Are You Listening?

Ah, memes. The universal language that transcends age, geography, and even the most cringe conversations at family dinners. If you haven’t been living under a rock (or just choosing to avoid the chaos of social media), you know memes dominate our timelines like they’re the main character in the drama of our digital lives. They’re the jokes we share, the relatable moments that get us through our daily existential crises, and they remind us that sometimes, we’re not alone in our weirdness. So, grab your favorite snack (ideally something incredibly unhealthy — we won’t judge), and let’s dive into some of the most iconic memes that shaped our year!

The Rise of “That’s a Red Flag” Memes

What’s the Deal?
2023 saw the birth of a new meme format that went viral faster than you can say “What’s your sign?” Enter “That’s a red flag”—the meme that took our dating disasters and turned them into cautionary tales. It’s the perfect way to call out—let’s be real—questionable behaviors without seeming like you’re actually trying to give relationship advice.

Examples In Action:
– TikTok and Reality Check: You might have stumbled upon a TikTok where someone reveals their partner’s secret “quirks” while a dramatic tune plays in the background. At the end, the screen flashes with “That’s a red flag!”—cue collective gasps and laughter from everyone watching.

– Virality Meets Real Life: How many times have you found yourself scrolling through Twitter, hitting “like” on a post that says, “If he doesn’t respect your ‘me time,’ that’s a red flag”? Pretty much every day, right?

The timing couldn’t be better; as dating apps reached new heights of chaos, this meme format helped us cope. Plus, how fun is it to turn relationship horror stories into viral content?

How ‘Girl Dinner’ Became Our Favorite Phrase

If you know, you know.
If “girl dinner” isn’t on your radar yet, catch up! This meme is a delightful celebration of the chaotic meals we concoct when we can’t be bothered to put in the effort—usually at the end of a long day.

What is ‘Girl Dinner’?
It usually consists of whatever’s lying around: a slice of cheese, some olives, and maybe a pretzel or two—all metaphors for “I’m trying my best, but life is hard.”

– TikTok’s Culinary Genius: Numerous TikTok influencers have crafted videos sharing their own interpretations of “girl dinner,” all armed with a side of humor that resonates with so many of us. “Look, I’ve had enough of actual cooking. Who wants to eat a full meal when snacks exist?”

Not only is it relatable, it’s also a great excuse to load up on our favorite snacks. Just call it a meal and raise a toast to the hustle of adulthood.

The “Sheesh” Phenomenon

Let’s Talk About the Iconic Sound
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, you’ve probably heard the sound of someone dramatically yelling, “Sheesh!” followed by an amalgamation of wild gesturing and pure chaos. This meme flourished as the perfect way to express shock, admiration, or plain absurdity.

Why It Caught Fire:
The “Sheesh” trend reminds us that sometimes the simplest things can be extraordinarily funny. Celebrities have hopped on the trend too, with athletes and influencers using the exaggerated exclamation in their TikToks, driving fans wild. How many memes have sprung up with just one sound? It’s a whole mood, encapsulated in a single syllable!

– Celebs in on the Joke: One of the most notable uses this year was when NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo surprised fans with a “Sheesh” during interviews — it went viral faster than a stepback three-pointer.

Crying Cat: The Comeback Kid

Seriously, Everyone Needs This Legend
The famous “Crying Cat” meme has made a resurgence this year, evolving from its sad little origins into a highlight of our digital scrolling.

– How It Evolved: Originally popular in 2012, the cat has resurfaced with new captions that reflect this year’s trials—be it money troubles, work stress, or just the fact that we had to wake up before noon.

– Top Memes in Action: Daily struggles can be pretty humorous when coupled with our feline friend, like “When you realize it’s Monday in your Saturday vibes” perfectly sums up that collective dread.

The Return of Classic Memes with a 2023 Twist

Nostalgia Hits Hard
Sometimes, the best memes are the ones we know too well, just with a fresh spin. Classic memes returning this year have hit us right in the feels.

– Gordon Ramsay’s “It’s Raw!”: His iconic kitchen outburst has been reinvented for non-cooking situations: “When they say they’ve watched the entire series but still ask about the plot”—you know it hurts.

– Doge Rereturns: And just when we thought Doge was gone, it wags its tail back into our 2023 feeds, reminding us that it’s always a good time for “such wow!” and “very meme.”

Each returning meme serves up a nostalgia slice that makes our hearts flutter like we’re kids again. There’s comfort in familiar humor, especially in a world where we crave so much connection.

What’s Next? The Future of Memes

Future Gazing
As we cap off 2023, we can’t predict what trends are coming next, but one thing is for sure: memes aren’t going anywhere. We might just be one TikTok dance away from the next meme-ified phenomenon that has us LOL-ing for days.

– Engagement Over Engagement: Social responsibility in meme culture means we’re also educating ourselves and having fun at the same time. Expect more satire, more awareness, and a whole lot of creativity!

What we know is that memes provided a sanctuary—a collective laugh amid the chaos. So whether you’re scrolling through TikTok or your Instagram feed, keep your eyes peeled for what’s next in the glorious (and sometimes chaotic) world of memes.

Mic-Drop Moment

So there you have it! From dating red flags to crying cats, we’ve experienced 2023 through the laughter, creativity, and soul of meme culture. Let’s embrace this absurdity together and keep sharing those vibes. What’s your favorite meme moment of the year? Drop it in the comments, and let’s keep this viral convo alive!

And don’t forget to check back at Buzzetty for more meme magic, because who wouldn’t want to stay ahead of the trends?

FAQ

What defines a meme?
A meme is a piece of media—often humorous—that spreads virally, capturing cultural symbols or social ideas.

Why are memes so popular?
Memes are relatable, quick to consume, and engaging, making them a favorite form of expression on social media.

How can I create my own meme?
You can create your own meme by using meme templates available online or by using smartphone apps designed for meme creation.