US Federal GovernmentIt’s safe to say 2016 hasn’t been one of the best. In fact, let’s be honest, it’s been pretty fucking awful. So let’s just get it out the way, fuck you 2016.
But all is not bad. Amidst all the death and despair, there was hope, and it came in the form of memes.
We may not have David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen, Muhammad Ali, Gene Wilder… Fuck, the list goes on, but we do have some of the greatest memes in living memory. So I guess we should be grateful for that.
In no particular order, here are the best memes that 2016 had to offer:
Harambe
friend: can I use your phone real quick
me: yeah one sec pic.twitter.com/2YIWL4rd9F— Harambe (@HarambeDepot) August 21, 2016
Bartender: What do you want to drink?
Harambe: I'll have a beer
Me: No he'll have just ice
Bartender: Just ice?
Me: Yes, justice for Harambe— BRANDO (@lightskinsavior) August 22, 2016
cincinnati zoo: please stop making harambe memes
me: pic.twitter.com/5F0t8rejnX
— MATT KING (@MattrKing) August 22, 2016
It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t mention our king first. Harambe was savagely killed in July after a 3-year-old boy fell into his enclosure, but he did live on in memes for a very long time. However, just like Harambe, the meme is dead, so put your dicks away. RIP Sweet prince.
Arthur’s fist
https://twitter.com/kbiiitcchh/status/758548055071285248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Mom: "fix that attitude before i fix it for you" pic.twitter.com/6CFLVM8yxj
— SHACK OBAMA (@Presidentshack) July 28, 2016
Who’d have thought posting a picture of a cartoon aardvark’s clenched fist would be the best way to express frustration? I have no idea how Arthur’s fist became a meme, but I’m so grateful that it did.
Joe Biden
"barack please don't leave me with them"
"joe you're leaving when I leave"
"oh right lmao love u" pic.twitter.com/zfIt3Bv0wl— Heather (@witchyvibe) September 27, 2016
Obama: Wave at the people, Joe.
Biden: IMMA POINT AT'EM
Obama: Please just wave.
Biden: pic.twitter.com/5Y6nuvCzcu
— Reverend Scott (@Reverend_Scott) November 29, 2014
"Please"
"No, Joe the debate is on"
"Just turn to ESPN real quick. I wanna see the score"
"You have your own TV"
"It's scary in my room." pic.twitter.com/RAz6cv5Q7v— Ol' QWERTY Bastard (@TheDiLLon1) September 27, 2016
As many cried over the election of Donald Trump, the Joe Biden meme was born. The bromance between Obama and his Vice President is great, and the memes are even greater.
Mr. Krabs
When you fall asleep in class and your body jumps and you look around to see if anyone saw you pic.twitter.com/Xt5J8T1oe9
— Jeff (@leftoversketti) March 15, 2016
When your mom leave you in the line to get eggs and the cashier says "next" pic.twitter.com/7zxvw5bEUa
— amanu (@lilcoochievert) March 10, 2016
when you put on new glasses for the first time and notice the changes pic.twitter.com/0yypkHFPxU
— MATHIAS (@britneyspeans) March 21, 2016
2016 was a big year for Spongebob-based memes (as you’ll see next) and the Mr. Krabs blur could be the most relatable meme of the year.
Caveman Spongebob
when your mom texts you "I'm almost home, that room better be clean when I get there" but… pic.twitter.com/wbh0rqOYMC
— SpongeBob (@spongebobstbh) June 1, 2016
when it's 2 in the morning on a school night but the episode u just watched ends on a cliff hanger pic.twitter.com/zSj9Fb1Hmh
— Students Problems (@FactsOfSchool) June 2, 2016
The alarmed primitive Spongebob meme was ideal for any vulnerable situation and it wasn’t around long enough in my opinion.
Evil Kermit
*ice accidentally drops in kitchen*
Me to me: kick it under the fridge pic.twitter.com/etdCVssnnX
— Grabbie (@RiceBag94) November 11, 2016
*ice accidentally drops in kitchen*
Me to me: kick it under the fridge pic.twitter.com/etdCVssnnX
— Grabbie (@RiceBag94) November 11, 2016
Me: I'm so happy I'm saving money
Me to me: Now spend all of it pic.twitter.com/ZYxFhLr88j
— FREDDY (@FreddyAmazin) November 9, 2016
The “that’s none of my business” Kermit memes are a thing of the past. It’s all about the Evil Kermit now.
Fuck 2016
ME AT BEGINNING OF 2016 / ME AT END OF 2016 pic.twitter.com/txTSay0AYJ
— ↠ (@sonicbooming) December 5, 2016
Me at the beginning of 2016; me at the end of 2016. pic.twitter.com/h1uHkFW2zm
— Rachel Vorona Cote (@RVoronaCote) December 9, 2016
me at the beginning, middle, and end of 2016 pic.twitter.com/NKkhS84V8F
— Matt Ortile (@ortile) December 9, 2016
It’s been a tough year and it’s taken its toll on a lot of us. Thankfully, there’s a meme to convey just what an ass-whooping this year has given us.
So, there you have it. It may have been a bag of shit, but at least we have the memes. In memes we trust.
Be kind to us, 2017.
