The 4 Panel Cringe meme format typically features a series of four photos—most often selfies—that tell a short, awkward story or present a series of cringeworthy expressions. Emerging in the early 2010s on platforms like Tumblr and Facebook, these memes were originally unironic attempts by teenagers to appear deep, romantic, or cool, often involving captions that conveyed a 'Nice Guy' or 'Edgy' persona. Over time, the format transitioned into a parody of itself, with internet users creating intentionally uncomfortable or surreal versions to mock the original sincere posts. It remains a staple of internet culture for highlighting second-hand embarrassment and the performative nature of social media storytelling.