The Chicken or Egg Meme: How an Ancient Riddle Became Internet Gold

Have you ever scrolled through your social media and stumbled upon those hilarious chicken and egg memes? You know. those witty images that tackle the age-old philosophical question that’s been puzzling minds for centuries? I certainly have and I’ve found myself chuckling more times than I’d like to admit!

The “what came first, the chicken or the egg” meme has become a staple of internet culture, transforming a serious philosophical dilemma into something we can all laugh about while waiting for our coffee to brew. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of this popular meme format and explore how it hatched into internet stardom.

The Origin Story: Not Just Putting All Eggs in One Basket

Like many internet trends, the chicken or egg meme doesn’t have a single origin point. It evolved organically over time, gaining momentum as it spread across social platforms. However, we can trace one of its earliest notable instances to a 2016 tweet by YouTuber @OVERTflow, who shared an image of an egg with the text: “what came first, the chicken or the egg? Well, the egg. Dinosaurs laid eggs millions of years before chickens even existed.”

This clever take on the ancient riddle sparked something in the online community, and soon the format began appearing everywhere from Reddit to Instagram, Facebook’s Science Memes group, and beyond.

Why Did This Meme Cross the Road to Popularity?

The chicken or egg meme gained traction for several key reasons:

• Relatability: Everyone understands the basic premise of the riddle
• Versatility: It can be applied to countless scenarios and topics
• Humor potential: The format provides endless opportunities for wit and cleverness
• Debate factor: It invites engagement and discussion

What makes this meme format so successful is its flexibility. It’s essentially a template for expressing life’s various dilemmas or conflicting choices, from the profound to the utterly ridiculous

Anatomy of a Chicken-Egg Meme

So what exactly makes a chicken or egg meme? While there aren’t strict rules, most follow a similar structure:

1. Reference to the original “chicken or egg” question
2. Two contrasting options presented
3. A witty caption or image that subverts expectations
4. Sometimes a humorous “resolution” to the dilemma

Here’s an example that’s been shared widely: an image of a cat and dog with the caption, “What came first, cats or dogs? Who cares, they’re both adorable!” Simple but effective!

The Science Behind the Meme

What’s particularly interesting is how this meme intersects with actual scientific research. In 2010, a study by scientists including Colin Freeman examined a protein called ovocleidin-17 (OC-17) that’s found only in chicken eggshells This protein speeds up shell formation, allowing hens to produce eggs within 24 hours

Some internet memes claimed this discovery “solved” the ancient riddle, suggesting the chicken must have come first since this protein is necessary for chicken eggs to form. These memes spread like wildfire, despite oversimplifying the research.

In reality, the answer is more nuanced. As researchers at the University of Warwick noted, “Does this really prove the chicken came before the egg? Well this actually further underlines that it’s a fun but pointless question.”

The BackYard Chickens community puts it this way: “The egg came before the chicken, but the chicken came before the chicken egg.” This is because birds existed and laid eggs long before the domestic chicken emerged, but chicken eggs specifically (with their unique proteins) couldn’t exist until chickens evolved.

Types of Chicken-Egg Memes You’ll Encounter

The chicken-egg meme format has evolved into several distinct varieties:

1. The Classic Philosophical Take

These stick closely to the original dilemma, often with a modern twist or unexpected punchline.

2. The Everyday Dilemma

These adapt the format to relatable daily struggles like:

• “What came first, my coffee addiction or my sleep problems?”
• “What came first, my procrastination or my deadline anxiety?”

3. The Pop Culture Version

These reference movies, TV shows, video games, and other aspects of popular culture.

4. The Meta Meme

These are memes about the meme itself, often poking fun at the format or its ubiquity.

From Internet to Mainstream

The chicken-egg meme hasn’t stayed confined to the digital world. It has crossed over into:

• Marketing campaigns and advertisements
• Merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers)
• Educational content
• Brand social media accounts

Many companies have leveraged the format’s popularity for creative marketing, incorporating it into their advertising or social media content to connect with younger audiences.

Creating Your Own Chicken-Egg Meme

Wanna try hatching your own chicken-egg meme? Here’s a simple recipe:

1. Choose two contrasting concepts or items
2. Frame them in the “which came first” format
3. Add a clever twist, punchline, or visual that makes people think
4. Keep it simple and relatable
5. Share and watch the engagement roll in!

Remember, the best memes often contain a grain of truth that makes people go “hmm” before they laugh.

The Timeless Appeal

What’s remarkable about the chicken-egg meme is its staying power. Unlike many internet trends that flame out quickly, this format continues to reinvent itself and remain relevant. This persistence speaks to the enduring nature of the philosophical question it’s based on.

The original riddle has been debated by philosophers from ancient Greece to modern times, touching on fundamental questions about causality, existence, and the nature of reality. By transforming this weighty question into a humorous format, the meme makes philosophy accessible to everyone.

Cultural Impact and Reach

Due to its global popularity, the chicken-egg meme has been adapted to various languages and cultural contexts. People from different regions have put their own spin on it, creating versions that reference local customs, foods, or celebrities.

This adaptability has helped the meme transcend cultural barriers and become a truly international phenomenon. Whether you’re scrolling through feeds in Tokyo, Toronto, or Timbuktu, you’re likely to encounter some version of this meme that speaks to your experience.

Are There Any Downsides?

As with any form of humor, there’s always potential for misunderstandings or offense. Some interpretations of the chicken-egg meme might touch on sensitive topics or use stereotypes that could be harmful. It’s important to be mindful of context and audience when creating or sharing these memes.

However, for the most part, the chicken-egg meme remains a relatively innocuous and good-natured form of internet humor that brings more smiles than controversy.

The Future of the Chicken-Egg Meme

Will the chicken-egg meme continue to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of internet culture? Given its adaptability and connection to a timeless philosophical question, it seems likely this format will remain part of our digital vocabulary for years to come.

New iterations will undoubtedly emerge as the meme continues to evolve with changing trends and technologies. Perhaps we’ll see AR or VR versions, or adaptations that incorporate whatever new platforms emerge in the coming years.

The chicken or egg meme represents one of the internet’s most successful transformations of ancient philosophy into modern humor. It takes a question that has puzzled thinkers for centuries and reimagines it as a versatile template for expressing everything from existential crises to pet preferences.

What I love most about this meme is how it bridges the gap between deep thinking and casual scrolling. In a single image, it can make us laugh while also nudging us to consider complex ideas about causality and existence.

Whether you’re a meme creator, a casual sharer, or just someone who enjoys a good chuckle while browsing online, the chicken-egg meme offers something to appreciate. And unlike the original philosophical question, there’s no pressure to come up with a definitive answer—just enjoy the humor and maybe create your own version next time inspiration strikes!

So, what came first: the desire to solve ancient riddles or the urge to make memes about them? Who cares—they’re both entertaining!