4 ms·

Linguistic note: neither "meme" (in the modern sense, not the Dawkins sense) nor "going viral" existed 20 years ago, let alone 100 years. The nature of how cult

Linguistic note: neither "meme" (in the modern sense, not the Dawkins sense) nor "going viral" existed 20 years ago, let alone 100 years. The nature of how culture spread makes both words wildly inapplicable, even if the underlying idea is somewhat similar.

richardfontana 2y ago
"Going viral" probably existed 20 years ago, though perhaps barely. I don't have access to the OED but several web sources say OED's earliest recorded usage was from 2004.
- thaumasiotes 2y ago
  Here's a Wired article dated January 1, 2005 featuring the term "viral video" as something that doesn't need to be explained: https://www.wired.com/2005/01/check-out-this-video-clip/ https://www.wired.com/2005/01/check-out-this-video-clip/ So yes, we can be certain that "going viral" existed 20 years ago, to the extent that we think "viral" is the status achieved by "viral videos".
deleted 2y ago
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eterm 2y ago
This is completely false. Meme even in the modern internet sense, was used in the 90's, here's Memepool from 1998: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memepool https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memepool
- layer8 2y ago
  If you look at the first captures (https://web.archive.org/web/19981205011851/http://www.memepool.com:80/ https://web.archive.org/web/19981205011851/http://www.memepo...), this is not the modern sense of the term “meme” as “funny picture/running gag”. Memes in the modern sense of course already existed much earlier, but usage of the term “meme” in that sense only developed later, sometime in the 2000s. At least that’s how I remember it.
t-3 2y ago
I don't remember any instances of the term "going viral", but "meme" was definitely around 20 years ago. 4chan launched in 2003.
- deleted 2y ago
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jxy 2y ago
from OED: the modern sense of "meme" > 2. An image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations. Also with modifying word, as internet meme, etc. > 1998 > The next thing you know, his friends have forwarded it [sc. an animation of a dancing baby] on and it's become a net meme. > Sci. & Technol. Week (transcript of CNN TV programme) (Nexis) 24 January the modern sense of "viral" > Chiefly Marketing. Of, designating, or involving the rapid spread of information (esp. about a product or service) amongst customers by word of mouth, e-mail, etc. to go viral: to propagate in such a manner; to (be) spread widely and rapidly. > 1989 > The staff almost unanimously voted with their feet as long waiting lists developed for use of the Macintoshes... ‘It's viral marketing. You get one or two in and they spread throughout the company.’ > PC User (Nexis) 27 September 31 Edit: format

richardfontana 2y ago

"Going viral" probably existed 20 years ago, though perhaps barely. I don't have access to the OED but several web sources say OED's earliest recorded usage was from 2004.

thaumasiotes 2y ago
Here's a Wired article dated January 1, 2005 featuring the term "viral video" as something that doesn't need to be explained: https://www.wired.com/2005/01/check-out-this-video-clip/ https://www.wired.com/2005/01/check-out-this-video-clip/ So yes, we can be certain that "going viral" existed 20 years ago, to the extent that we think "viral" is the status achieved by "viral videos".

deleted 2y ago

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eterm 2y ago

This is completely false. Meme even in the modern internet sense, was used in the 90's, here's Memepool from 1998: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memepool https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memepool

layer8 2y ago
If you look at the first captures (https://web.archive.org/web/19981205011851/http://www.memepool.com:80/ https://web.archive.org/web/19981205011851/http://www.memepo...), this is not the modern sense of the term “meme” as “funny picture/running gag”. Memes in the modern sense of course already existed much earlier, but usage of the term “meme” in that sense only developed later, sometime in the 2000s. At least that’s how I remember it.

t-3 2y ago

I don't remember any instances of the term "going viral", but "meme" was definitely around 20 years ago. 4chan launched in 2003.

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]

jxy 2y ago

from OED: the modern sense of "meme" > 2. An image, video, piece of text, etc., typically humorous in nature, that is copied and spread rapidly by internet users, often with slight variations. Also with modifying word, as internet meme, etc. > 1998 > The next thing you know, his friends have forwarded it [sc. an animation of a dancing baby] on and it's become a net meme. > Sci. & Technol. Week (transcript of CNN TV programme) (Nexis) 24 January the modern sense of "viral" > Chiefly Marketing. Of, designating, or involving the rapid spread of information (esp. about a product or service) amongst customers by word of mouth, e-mail, etc. to go viral: to propagate in such a manner; to (be) spread widely and rapidly. > 1989 > The staff almost unanimously voted with their feet as long waiting lists developed for use of the Macintoshes... ‘It's viral marketing. You get one or two in and they spread throughout the company.’ > PC User (Nexis) 27 September 31 Edit: format