The modern internet is full of memes. Moments, photos, clips, or even single lines can explode in popularity, get quoted, parodied, and used in countless contexts. Some fade quickly, others become classics in a way. This article recaps the loudest memes of 2022.
Clap Chris Rock by Will Smith
Chris Rock is a well-known American comedian with a long career in stand-up. When he hosted the Oscars, his jokes sparked mixed reactions. During the ceremony, he referenced Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith’s wife, comparing her to the character in the film GI Jane who is famously bald. Jada has alopecia, a medical condition causing hair loss. In response, Will Smith walked on stage and slapped Rock. The incident drew strong responses, and Rock quipped that he had been punched, then carried on with the show. The broadcast was temporarily halted by ABC, but footage of the moment spread across the internet. By the time of writing, the clip has amassed tens of millions of views.
Note that Will Smith later apologized to the Academy during the ceremony and to Rock on social media, yet the incident cost him opportunities and cast him as persona non grata at many film events for years. Public reaction was split—some condemned the actor, others argued Rock’s joke crossed a line, and a few suspected the moment was staged. The slap itself became a meme, attached to a variety of situations.
Who do you think bears responsibility for this moment?
The cat and its “stless”
Stress became the defining theme of 2022, naturally enough spawning jokes. The symbol of “stless” featured a cute cat nibbling its own paw. In reality, the cat was simply engaging in grooming, but the expression suggested a deep concern.
Stunned Homelander from The Boys
Season three of The Boys arrived this year, and audiences especially connected with the villain Homelander’s dramatic demeanor in a pivotal moment. A clip playing on the line “This is f**k, f**k!” circulated online as a shorthand for the year’s mood.
Almighty Glycine Pill
In moments of frustration, some turned to a glycine tablet as a joke solution. The herb-like punchline referenced a plant-based remedy applied to wounds, but in meme culture glycine is treated as a simple, mild sedative capable of smoothing over tough situations.
moleworm
The online chatter about alcoholic beverages sometimes veered into the absurd. A meme about an alcohol tincture made from a dead mole circulated, sparked by a post from a user with the handle Perfect Ilushen. Some doubted its existence, others claimed to have tasted it, while a few insisted acquaintances used it as a catch-all cure. The question of truth remained unresolved, but the term moleworm quickly became a recurring joke among meme lovers.
Dr. Livesey’s walk from Treasure Island
The character Dr. Livesey, from the 1988 cartoon Treasure Island, gained attention in 2021, though the meme surged globally in 2022. It wasn’t Livesey’s action so much as a smug, confident gait and a gleaming smile that captured attention. A popular video features the doctor stepping into Ghostface Playa’s Why Not, achieving millions of views. By the time of writing, such clips accumulate impressive view counts.
Another video collects several variations of the same joke.
Incredibly strong Senator Armstrong from Metal Gear Rising
Senator Armstrong, a boss from the 2013 game Metal Gear Rising, found renewed popularity in 2022. The character’s extreme musculature was used as a quick symbol of power, and the catchphrase Nanomachines, son became a staple explanation for success in memes.
Incendiary dance Wednesday
Tim Burton’s Wednesday, a modern take on The Addams Family, captured the online imagination with her distinctive dance. The video that syncs the dance to Lady Gaga’s Bloody Mary earned particular fame. Similar clips, including Russian skater Kamila Valieva performing a Wednesday-inspired routine, circulated widely. Dozens of creators shared their versions, with standout moments featuring The Thing.
Many creators showed their own renditions of the dance, with notable humor in the scenes that reference iconic moments.
The Incredible Mr. Incredible with Two Faces
The character first appeared in The Incredibles in 2004 as a superhero of immense strength. In memes, the focus shifted from powers to appearance, with two-photo composites showing Mr. Incredible in color next to a black-and-white version that looks moodier. Captions often play on dualities, highlighting both sides of a single idea.
Wise mysterious tree
A tree with a human face became a familiar visual in browser-game ads for vikings, kingdom-building titles, and stormfall. The image appeared in 2017 and resurfaced in memes as a quick way to convey emotion. In 2022, the same tree was used not only for expression but also to poke fun at clickbait advertising that urges action.
In 2022, the wise mysterious tree saw renewed popularity as a vehicle for humor and critique alike.
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Which memes from 2022 stick with readers? Share thoughts in the comments with kindness and no politics.
Which meme do you find the funniest?
Source: VG Times