What Is The I Guess Meme? Meaning, Origin, and How It Spread
The I Guess meme (also called the I Guess Guy) is one of the internet’s most iconic reactions for reluctantly accepting something ridiculous. Pulled from a quirky webcomic, this two-panel image perfectly captures the emotion of begrudging surrender.
Whether it’s a technically true but infuriating statement or a bizarre scenario that somehow checks out, the meme says what words can’t: “Fine, I guess.”
In this article, we’ll explain where the meme came from, what it means, how it spread.
What Is the I Guess Meme?
The I Guess meme refers to a two-panel comic of a disgruntled character shrugging in reluctant acceptance.
Online, the meme is widely used to express begrudging acceptance, frustration, or mild exasperation. It often surfaces in discussions where a statement is logically sound but emotionally unsettling, or when someone is technically right and you can’t argue back, even if you don’t want to admit it.
Where Did the I Guess Meme Come From?
The I Guess meme comes from a comic strip titled “Cat Lunch Break” published in Cat Lunch Break on the webcomic series Gunshow, created by K.C. Green, the same artist behind the iconic “This is Fine” dog.
In the comic, two people observe a cat sitting on a bench eating a sandwich. One comments, “It’s a cat… taking a lunch break.” What begins as a quirky observation quickly spirals into absurdity as the pair follow the cat into a building labeled “Cat Strip Club.” The iconic two-panel reaction appears right after this bizarre encounter.
The first panel shows a frowning character with arms crossed, clearly irritated. The second panel follows with the same character throwing their hands up and yelling: “I GUESS.”
How did the meme spread?
Early usages
The I Guess meme began quietly circulating online as early as 2012. A colorized version of the panel was uploaded to PostImage on February 26, 2012.
Around the same time, a black-and-white version began appearing on platforms like FunnyJunk and was even used as the profile photo of YouTube user TheFacerockker by March 2, 2012. One of the first known usages came from a FimFiction.net comment on April 16, 2012 that linked to the image.
major boost
The meme received a major popularity boost on September 13, 2015, when Tumblr user spitblaze used it to respond to a surreal post:
“your body is a poop gun and eating is just reloading.”
It struck a nerve, quickly gaining over 20,000 notes and passing 100,000 by 2022.
Another viral moment came on November 20, 2015, when Tumblr user libraryoftheancients reused the image in another similarly absurd context. This version of the meme exploded in popularity, racking up 448,000 notes as of September 2022. Screenshots of both posts circulated widely on Imgur, Reddit, and other meme-sharing platforms.
Rise on Reddit, Twitter, and HD Remakes
By late 2015 and early 2016, the meme made its way to Reddit and Twitter. On March 31, 2016, Reddit users began using it as a reaction to confusing multiple-choice tests. Twitter picked it up as well — one standout moment came on February 24, 2016, when writer Jenna Quigley posted it in reply to a Kanye West tweet.
An HD version was uploaded to Imgur by KappaColors on July 4, 2016, featuring sharper details and a redrawn style. This became the standard version for many new memes and inspired more remakes, keeping the meme fresh for years.
On March 31, 2016, users started linking to the image in response to humorous or confusing online scenarios—like test questions where multiple answers were marked correct despite only one being selected.
By December 14, 2015, the meme had made its way to Twitter. A notable early use came from the meme aggregator account i18plus, which paired the image with a “Would You Press the Button?” style dilemma.
Other appearances included responses to tweets from celebrities like Kanye West, with writer Jenna Quigley using it to respond to his boastful Grammy tweet on February 24, 2016.
On July 4, 2016, the meme received an upgrade. Imgur user KappaColors uploaded an HD redraw of the panels, preserving the essence of the original but adding cleaner lines and sharper details. This version quickly became the new standard, prompting countless recolors and edits across Imgur and Tumblr. The higher quality helped the meme maintain relevance and visual appeal in a new era of internet aesthetics.
Meme Rediscovery and Legacy
In November 2021, a resurgence in interest came from Tumblr user ohmisterpitiful, who reposted the full “Cat Lunch Break” comic. The post began as a reblog of a TikTok about turning a dancing pole into a scratching post, but quickly turned into a meme in its own right with users reacting:
“Was anybody going to tell me the I Guess meme came from a full comic, or was I just supposed to find out on my own?”
That post gathered over 120,000 notes and sparked curiosity about the comic’s original context. For many, it was the first time they learned the “I GUESS” panels were part of a larger narrative, not just a standalone reaction image.
Final Thoughts
The I Guess meme is a reminder that internet humor thrives on honesty—even begrudging honesty. From its roots in a bizarre cat-themed webcomic to its status as a high-res reaction image, it continues to connect with users facing life’s little contradictions. It’s not just a meme—it’s a mood.
