submemes

Submemes are derivative meme units that exist within a larger meme ecosystem. They preserve a core template or recognizable motif while adding new elements—such as captions, visual tweaks, or topical references—that tailor the meme to different audiences or events. As such, submemes function as offshoots or subunits of a parent meme, enabling rapid variation without reworking the underlying idea.

They spread through the same channels as their parent memes, including social networks, image boards, and short‑form video platforms. The success of a submeme often hinges on ease of remix, cultural salience, and the sustaining power of the parent meme’s format, as well as platform algorithms that reward novelty and engagement.

Submemes commonly arise within a meme family when a template becomes widely recognizable. Examples include variants of a popular image macro or a viral catchphrase used in different contexts. Because they rely on shared cues, submemes can be quickly adapted for new events, communities, or jokes, contributing to the overall longevity of the meme family.

Scholarly attention to submemes is informal and debated. The term is used in discussions of remix culture and memetics to describe diversification within meme ecosystems, but definitions vary and boundaries with terms such as derivative memes, variants, or templates can be fuzzy. Studying submemes can illuminate diffusion patterns, community identity, and the dynamics of online culture while highlighting how small changes can alter meaning and reception.