What is a meme?

An internet meme is a word, phrase or image which spreads person to person via the internet. They grow rapidly because of the instant communication, which is a lot faster than word of mouth. They're spread via search engines, social networking sites and internety forums; as well as usually involving a condesending tone. Without search engines, memes would be heard to find even by those interested in the subject, as it makes it a lot easier to be located.