..First Meme "Ever"?

I've always been fascinated by the idea of Internet Memes.. a small inside joke, an embarrassing video, or even a random lolcat that spreads through the internet like fire in a haystack.. And it's even more interesting to know the source of these memes that can trace to prehistoric ages (the 80's mainly), and how they still find their way into the present day..

A couple of days ago, I came across a meme that, apparently, is the oldest meme known to man kind.. No, not the middle finger (though it can be traced to the first cave man's fight with his neighbor), but it's a small audio inside joke that has been passing around for years.. and by years, I mean "since-the-50's" years.. That is really something.. The best thing, it slips under our noses over and over and over, and after this blog, you will ALWAYS recognize it.. And like it did to me, it will HAUNT YOU!!!!

- ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US! -

I swear, ever since I read about it, I was shocked by the amount of movies and shows it was in, and I didn't even make a single link, nor did I realize it, because it's so back there, it's impossible to notice for the unaware audience.. Most interestingly, this is the kind of fact that once you realize, you can never take it out of your head every time you watch a movie or a show, you'll be waiting for it, and waiting, AND WAITING!!

(Similar to that damned FedEx arrow!!)

I know, I’m over hyping it, but it's a slow work day, so deal with it..

Anyways, without further adue, I introduce you to the Wilhelm Scream..

"The sound effect originates from a series of sound effects recorded for the 1951 film Distant Drums. In a scene from the film, soldiers are wading through a swamp in the everglades and one of them is bitten and dragged underwater by an alligator. The scream for that scene was recorded later in a single take along with five other short pained screams, which were slated as "man getting bit by an alligator, and he screams." The fifth scream was used for the soldier in the alligator scene—but the 4th, 5th, and 6th screams recorded in the session were also used earlier in the film—when three Indians are shot during a raid on a fort. Although takes 4 through 6 are the most recognizable, all of the screams are referred to as "Wilhelm" by those in the sound community."

- Wiki Article

So, it started as a normal sound clip for a movie, and then it metastasized into something that was never imagined by the unknown actor who did that scream.. Check out this list, and count how many movies you saw, and how many times did that scream slip unnoticed! You’ll be shocked..

Being that it's a meme of the pre-prehistoric (anything beyond the 80’s, I just stop counting) there isn't a solid source on when did people start realizing it, but it sure did take YouTube by storm in the many video dedications to that actor.. 

Hilarious? Yes.. Creepy? Yes.. You'll always hear it, and always wait for it, and that my friends is my gift to you.. SPREAD THE CURSE!!

Yours,

Lou..