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33 of the biggest, best and most important memes of 2016

Published 17:00 13 Dec 2016 GMT

Alex Finnis
33 of the biggest, best and most important memes of 2016

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1. Harambe

Screen Shot 2016-12-13 at 11.33.15
Image: harambedepot.com
Why it's important: Because Harambe died for our sins, and must live on forever in our hearts, minds and dicks.  

2. Damn Daniel

Screen Shot 2016-12-13 at 11.30.59
Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it's important: Because damn, he really was back at it again in the white Vans. Also because it was a perfect example of a short-lived meme in that he went massive, appeared on Ellen and then was never heard from again.  

3. Evil Kermit

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Image: Twitter: @prettygurl2890
Why it's important: Because the Evil Kermit speaks to the darkest part of all of our souls.  

4. Arthur's fist

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Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it's important: It taught us that so much emotion can be shown in just one small picture of a cartoon aardvark's fist.  

5. Don't talk to me or my son ever again

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Image: Twitter: @CUTEST_ANIMALS
Why it's important: Who doesn't love small versions of normally big stuff?  

6. Tag yourself

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Image: Tumblr
Why it's important: Because even if none of the pictures make any sense to you, you still have to tag yourself. I'm neon meme brah.  

7. Obama and Biden

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Image: Twitter: @hansmollman
Why it's important: Imagining their conversations was the only joy we had while the world was slowly crashing down around us.  

8. Dat Boi

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Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it's important: Oh shit waddup!  

9. Mr Krabs blur

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Image: Twitter: @MrKrabsMemes
Why it's important: 2016 was the year we found out Spongebob was the most relatable TV show of all time.  

10. Dabbing

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Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it's important: It's a dance move that ~almost~ anyone can pull off.  

11. Gavin reactions

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Image: Twitter
Why it's important: Because have you ever seen a kid with a more expressive face? No, no you haven't.  

12. Beginning of 2016 vs end of 2016

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Image: Twitter: @CaraCompass
Why it's important: No meme could sum up the terror that has been this year any better.  

13. Ted Cruz is the zodiac killer

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Image: theodysseyonline.com
Why it's important: Because ex-Presidential candidate Ted Cruz was responsible for a string of gruesome murders back in the late 1960s and early 1970s and we can't rest until he faces trial for his crimes.  

14. Bottle flipping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdUVtEeg9I4 Why it's important: It taught us all that we're very bad at bottle flipping.  

15. DJ Khaled

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Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it's important: It proved that even a man can become a meme if he tried hard enough, and if he owns the keys to success.  

16. Confused maths lady

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Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it's important: Because nothing makes sense any more.  

17. Bone apple tea

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Image: Twitter: @xoShemar
Why it's important: It's a stupid as shit meme, and that's what also makes it hilarious.  

18. Mannequin challenge

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Image: Facebook
Why it's important: [remains totally still]  

19. SpongeGar

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Image: memecenter.com
Why it's important: If we can relate to a caveman sea sponge then surely we can relate to anything?  

20. Get you a man who can do both

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Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it's important: Because who wants a man who can only do one?  

21. Sad Ben Affleck

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Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it's important: Batman vs. Superman was terrible and Affleck needs to think about what he's done.  

22. Hodor holding the door

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Image: onsizzle.com
Why it's important: There is no better way to honour a fallen hero than through the power of memes. Just ask Harambe.  

23. Sad Pawpaw

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Image: Twitter: @kelssseyharmon
Why it's important: Because the story ended with Pawpaw, five of his grandkids and a whole bunch of people who felt sad about the original meme having a barbecue together, proving that sometimes good things can happen in the world.  

24. Conceited reaction

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Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it's important: His face could not be more perfect.  

25. Fight the Air Challenge

https://twitter.com/LEXXCCC/status/788090602806059008 Why it's important: Like all the best memes, it makes absolutely no fucking sense.  

26. White guy selfie

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Image: Instagram: @fuckjerry
Why it's important: Because the Large White Guy Collider finally successfully split a Chet into 7 smaller sub-Chets, the building blocks of White.  

27. You vs The guy she tells you not to worry about

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Image: Twitter: @HndrixLamar
Why it's important: It was really easy to make your own versions of the joke and reap in those three precious likes on Twitter.  

28. #McChicken

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Image: Twitter: @taisenpaii
Why it's important: Someone genuinely uploaded a video of himself fucking a McChicken sandwich and honestly it's all a bit much.  

29. Chewbacca mom

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Image: YouTube
Why it's important: She's just so obscenely happy. Impossibly happy. Also literally every single person in the world saw this video.  

30. Graham

Screen Shot 2016-12-13 at 15.50.08 Image: Twitter: @MailOnline Why it's important: Because someone named him Graham and it's perfect.  

31. Famous Melania Trump quotes

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Image: Twitter: @AnnaKendrick47
Why it's important: Turns out she's responsible for like every famous quote in history. Without this meme, how would we have known?  

32. Birdie Sanders

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Image: knowyourmeme.com
Why it's important: Birb.  

33. Wholesome memes

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Image: Tumblr
Why it's important: Because it's 2016, and we need this shit.

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33 of the biggest, best and most important memes of 2016