Unveiling the Origins of Famous Cat Memes

When it comes to the internet, few things are as ubiquitous and beloved as cat memes. They've become part of the fabric of online culture, offering a mix of humor, quirkiness, and, of course, undeniable cuteness. But have you ever wondered how these memes started or where they came from? Buckle up, young internet explorers, as we dive into the history of some of the funniest cat memes that have ruled the web.

1. Grumpy Cat

Remember the adorably grouchy face of Grumpy Cat, who always seems to be in a bad mood? Born as "Tardar Sauce," this cat's iconic grumpy look is due to feline dwarfism and an underbite. She became a sensation after her photo was posted on Reddit in 2012, and users quickly started creating memes based on her furrowed brows and frowny face.

2. Keyboard Cat

Keyboard Cat is one of the earliest cat memes to hit the internet. A video of a cat named Fatso, dressed in a shirt and "playing" a keyboard, was posted on YouTube back in 2007. The original footage, however, was filmed by Fatso's owner in the 1980s. The hilarious video inspired a meme where the Keyboard Cat is edited into the end of embarrassing or fail videos, playing people off as if it were a gaffe reel.

3. Nyan Cat

Nyan Cat, a pixel art animation of a cat with a Pop-Tart body flying through space and leaving a rainbow trail behind, was a viral hit in 2011. Created by illustrator Chris Torres, the animated gif was paired with a catchy Japanese song and took the internet by storm. Nyan Cat’s endurance and irresistibly cute tune spawned countless remixes and a legion of fans.

4. Longcat

Longcat, also known as "Nobiko" in Japan, became internet-famous in 2005 when her owner posted pictures showcasing her unusually lengthy body. Internet users soon began photoshopping her into various situations, often with her arch-nemesis Tacgnol, another long cat but colored black. A popular format of this meme is stretching the image of Longcat to absurd lengths for comic effect.

5. Lil Bub

Lil Bub, a cat with unique genetic mutations that made her look forever like a kitten, won hearts worldwide after her pictures were posted on Tumblr in 2011. Bub's big eyes, small size, and tongue perpetually sticking out, thanks to her short lower jaw and toothlessness, made her a perfect candidate for a plethora of sweet and funny memes.

6. Ceiling Cat

This meme features a cat peering through a hole in the ceiling, giving the impression of it watching over you. The picture was initially posted on 4chan where it quickly spread and evolved into a meme known as the 'Ceiling Cat'. It is often paired with 'Basement Cat', a black cat that is considered the 'evil' counterpart to the 'good' Ceiling Cat.

7. I Can Has Cheezburger

This is one of the oldest and most well-known cat memes. It features a chubby cat with a goofy expression, captioned with the phrase "I Can Has Cheezburger?" in broken English, which is a classic example of the 'LOLCats' meme format. The image was first posted on a Russian website and quickly gained popularity, eventually leading to the creation of an entire website dedicated to similar memes.

8. Crying Cat

Crying Cat is a meme format featuring images of cats with teary, glassy eyes to appear as though they are sad. These pictures are usually captioned with situations that could be considered frustrating or inconvenient, designed to exaggerate and humorously overreact to such situations.

9. Woman Yelling at a Cat

This meme features a screenshot of 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' cast members Taylor Armstrong and Kyle Richards next to a picture of a confused-looking cat sitting behind a dinner plate. The format gained significant popularity on Twitter and Reddit in 2019 and is used to depict situations where a person is inexplicably angry or aggressive towards someone who is calm and unbothered.

10. Smudge the Cat

Smudge is a white cat who rose to fame online for appearing in the 'Woman Yelling at a Cat' meme. Before that, Smudge had a considerable following on Instagram due to his distinct facial expressions and refusal to sit at any other spot on the dining table.

So there you have it, the origins of some of the most iconic cat memes that have tickled our funny bones and warmed our hearts. It's amazing to see how these feline friends, with their unique quirks and personalities, have brought laughter and joy to millions of people around the globe. So next time you share or laugh at a cat meme, remember the history and the real cool cats behind the humor.