longcat

Longcat is an internet meme featuring a cat with an unusually elongated body, which originated from a photograph of a domestic cat named "Saggingyy" or simply "Longcat." The image shows the cat stretched out horizontally, emphasizing its extended length, and has become widely recognized within online communities as a humorous and surreal representation of feline elongation.

The meme gained popularity on platforms like 4chan around 2005, where users began sharing and editing images of Longcat to create humorous or exaggerated scenarios. Longcat frequently appeared alongside other internet characters, such as Tacgnol, a darker-colored, elongated cat. These characters became part of a broader meme culture that celebrated absurdist humor.

Longcat's significance lies in its role as a viral internet icon, symbolizing the playful and creative nature of online meme culture. Its simple, repetitive imagery and the visual humor of an elongated cat contributed to its widespread appeal. Over time, Longcat has been incorporated into various internet jokes, fan art, and parodies, solidifying its place in digital pop culture.

The original Longcat image was taken byแฟนไคเฟรนซี่ in 2005 and became a staple of meme anthologies. Despite the meme's rise and decline in popularity, Longcat remains a notable example of how internet culture can transform ordinary images into enduring symbols of humor and community engagement.

The meme continues to be referenced in online discussions and has inspired numerous derivative works, demonstrating its lasting influence on internet humor.