What year is it with the meme of the cat?

What year is it with the meme of the cat? - briefly

The "Hang in There" cat poster meme originated in 1976. It gained widespread popularity and continues to be referenced today, particularly on the internet.

What year is it with the meme of the cat? - in detail

The meme of the cat asking "What year is it?" has become an iconic internet phenomenon, spreading rapidly across social media platforms in recent years. The meme typically features a screenshot from the popular animated series "The Simpsons," specifically from the episode titled "Das Bus" (season 13, episode 8), which first aired on December 9, 2001. In this scene, Snowball II, the family's pet cat, is shown looking puzzled while asking the question "What year is it?" amidst various changes and events happening around her.

The meme gained significant traction in 2016 and has since been widely used to express a sense of bewilderment or disorientation regarding current events, technological advancements, or rapid societal shifts. The cat's question encapsulates the feeling of being overwhelmed by the pace of change and the constant influx of new information in today's digital age.

The popularity of the meme can be attributed to its relatability and versatility. It has been adapted to comment on a wide range of topics, from political developments to technological innovations, and has been translated into various languages, further solidifying its global appeal. Despite being over two decades old, "What year is it?" remains a timeless meme that continues to resonate with internet users around the world.