Quick Facts
- Word / Phrase
- meme
- Verdict
- MYTH ❌
- Claim Type
- Folk etymology
- First Real Record
- 1976, Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene
- Real Origin
- From Greek *mimēma* “that which is imitated”, coined by Dawkins
- Myth Spread By
- Internet blogs, social‑media posts, popular science articles
The Claim
Across social‑media platforms, blogs, and even some popular‑science books, you’ll often read that the word “meme” is a direct borrowing from the Greek term “mimeme,” supposedly meaning “imitated thing.” The claim is usually phrased like, “Did you know ‘meme’ comes from the Greek ‘mimeme’ – literally ‘that which is imitated’?” Articles from the early 2010s and countless meme‑explainer videos repeat this line, giving it an air of scholarly authority.
One widely‑circulated example is a 2014 tweet that read: “Meme = Greek ‘mimeme’ (imitated thing). That’s why memes spread like cultural viruses!” The story gained traction because it offers a neat, exotic origin that seems to explain the modern phenomenon of viral content.
Why It’s Wrong
Richard Dawkins introduced “meme” in his 1976 book *The Selfish Gene*. He explicitly wrote that the term was derived from the Greek *mimēma* (μῑμήμα), meaning “that which is imitated,” and that he shortened it to “meme” by analogy with “gene.” The OED’s earliest citation is also Dawkins’ 1976 usage, and no earlier English or Greek source contains the word “meme.”
The alleged Greek “mimeme” does not exist in any classical lexicon. Scholars of ancient Greek, including Liddell‑Scott‑Jones, list *mimēma* but not *mimeme*. The confusion likely stems from a misreading of Dawkins’ explanation, where “mimēma” was mistakenly rendered as “mimeme.”
Authoritative references such as the Oxford English Dictionary, Merriam‑Webster, and the Online Etymology Dictionary all trace “meme” to Dawkins’ coinage and the Greek *mimēma*. Linguist Barry Popik and etymologist Michael Quinion have both debunked the “mimeme” story in their columns, confirming that the claim is a modern folk etymology with no historical basis.
The Real Etymology
The word “meme” was invented by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins to describe a unit of cultural transmission, mirroring the biological concept of a gene. He chose the Greek root *mimēma* (from the verb *mimeisthai*, “to imitate”) because his idea centered on imitation as the primary mechanism of cultural spread.
By truncating *mimēma* to “meme,” Dawkins created a catchy, two‑syllable term that could easily enter everyday language. The word quickly caught on in academic circles and, later, in the burgeoning internet culture of the 1990s, where it was adopted to label viral images, videos, and jokes.
Since its inception, “meme” has expanded beyond Dawkins’ original definition to encompass any piece of media that spreads rapidly through imitation, parody, or remixing. Yet the core etymology remains anchored in the Greek concept of imitation, not a mysterious “mimeme.”
Why Myths Like This Spread
Folk etymologies thrive when they offer a tidy, story‑like explanation for a word that feels modern or opaque. “Meme” sounds like a foreign term, and linking it to an exotic Greek word satisfies a desire for scholarly legitimacy. The back‑formation from *mimēma* to “mimeme” is easy to imagine, especially when the original Greek spelling is unfamiliar.
Social media amplifies these myths: a single catchy tweet can be retweeted thousands of times, each iteration losing nuance and gaining authority. Moreover, the myth aligns with a broader narrative that “internet culture” is a continuation of ancient cultural practices, making the story appealing to both academics and laypeople.
Ultimately, such myths reveal our tendency to prefer memorable, quasi‑scholarly explanations over the often less glamorous truth—that a modern scientist invented a term in a 1970s biology book. Recognizing these patterns helps readers critically assess other popular word‑origin stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true that meme comes from the Greek ‘mimeme’?
No. The claim that “meme” derives from a Greek word “mimeme” is false. Richard Dawkins coined the term in 1976, stating it comes from the Greek *mimēma* meaning “that which is imitated.” There is no Greek word “mimeme” in classical lexicons.
Where does the word meme really come from?
The word was invented by Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book *The Selfish Gene*. He formed it from the Greek *mimēma* (“that which is imitated”), shortening it to “meme” by analogy with “gene.” It originally described a unit of cultural transmission.
When did the ‘Greek mimeme’ story start circulating?
The false “Greek mimeme” explanation began appearing online around 2010, gaining momentum through blog posts and social‑media shares. It likely emerged as a misinterpretation of Dawkins’ own description of the Greek root *mimēma*.
What is a folk etymology?
A folk etymology is a popular but inaccurate explanation for a word’s origin. It often simplifies a complex history into a memorable story, such as linking “meme” to a nonexistent Greek word, and spreads through informal channels like the internet.
What are other famous word origin myths?
Common examples include the backronym ‘POSH’ = “Port Out, Starboard Home,” the claim that “golf” stands for “Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden,” and that “posh” comes from a British railway class code. Each is a memorable story that lacks historical support.
Why do people believe false etymologies?
False etymologies appeal because they provide a tidy, often exotic explanation that fits existing biases or narratives. They are easy to share, sound scholarly, and satisfy a craving for hidden meanings, especially in the fast‑paced environment of social media.
Did Richard Dawkins invent the word meme?
Yes. Dawkins introduced “meme” in *The Selfish Gene* (1976) to describe a cultural replicator analogous to a gene. He derived it from the Greek *mimēma*, not from any pre‑existing English or Greek term.