In one morning I read 3 articles using the word ‘meme’ to describe a concept, anecdote and a viral video. I was intrigued by this sudden surge in the appearance of the word and wanted to know about its popularity, origins and how to correctly pronounce it. I wouldn’t want my finger to slip from the pulse of digital life.

Too late.

I was however encouraged by several recent blog posts explaining to the masses that yes, this word had suddenly taken hold and not to worry I can still join the club. Scientist Richard Dawkins introduced it in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene.

A meme is a postulated unit of cultural ideas, symbols or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through speech, gestures, rituals or other imitable phenomena.- wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme

In terms of the internet it’s used to describe those popular clips, links and email attachments passed around by colleagues and friends which inevitably clog up your inbox on a Friday afternoon.

It is pronounced meem. So there you go I learned something new. I’m not using it though, it’s stupid.