5[Before 2017 Memes Were *Game-Changing*—These Hilarious Clips Will Blow Your Mind!] - Abbey Badges

Understanding the Context

2. Doge: The Rise of the Accidental Icon
Released in 2010, Doge wasn’t initially a “meme”—it was a quirky Shiba Inu photograph with broken grammar captions like “Such happy dog.” Yet, thanks to Reddit and Twitter, Doge became the first truly organic internet meme, spawning thousands of variant jokes, translations, and even a dedicated community speaking in “Doge!” It proved memes could emerge from pure absurdity—and thrive as collective creativity.

3. Nyan Cat — The First Animated Meme Icon
Launched in 2011, Nyan Cat’s catchy chiptune and flying cat animation weren’t just funny—they were culturally foundational. Its simple looping design and viral spread made it one of the earliest examples of an anchored meme—something sustained by user repetition and remix. Nyan Cat proved animation could carry meme power, paving the way for GIFs, reaction videos, and meme formats across platforms.

4. Grumpy Cat: Sarcasm Meets Virality
Before viral challenges and TikTok dances, Grumpy Cat ruled social feeds in 2012–2013. With her trademark scowl, she became the poster cat for sardonic humor and meme realism. Her face was plastered on everything—from policy debates to product ads—showcasing memes’ power to define public personas and influence tone in online discourse. Grumpy didn’t just go viral; she shaped how sarcasm and irony became digital languages.

5. Pepe the Frog — From Cartoon Character to Cultural Symbol
Originally an animated frog with a goofy grin (introduced in 2005), Pepe blossomed into a cultural chameleon before 2017. Within internet communities, Pepe evolved from innocent animation to a symbolic figure—adopted, misinterpreted, and weaponized. This transformation revealed memes’ dual power: to unite in humor, but also to carry deep, sometimes turbulent, socio-political weight. Pepe’s story is a stark reminder of memes’ influence beyond laughter.

Key Insights

Why These Before 2017 Memes Matter Today
These early icons weren’t just brief laughs—they were building blocks. They taught us how simplicity, repetition, and emotional resonance fuel virality. Before 2017, memes emerged from niche corners and forum threads, yet they reached mass audiences through organic sharing. Today’s memetic ecosystem—TikTok challenges, reaction images, and viral humor—owes a debt to those pioneering clips that captured human absurdity in just pixels and jokes.

Before 2017, memes weren’t just fun—they were groundbreaking. These classic moments proved that humor is more than entertainment; it’s a language, a movement, and a mirror to our collective psyche.

Dive into the golden age of meme evolution and rediscover the clips that blew minds before the clickbait boom!

Final Thoughts

Explore more viral moments in our full deep dive on the history of internet memes—and why the classics from before 2017 still echo today.