The 'Based Department' meme typically features a character holding a telephone receiver, ostensibly calling a fictional authority to report a 'based' statement. To be 'based' in internet slang is to express a bold or controversial opinion without regard for social norms or criticism. Originally popularized on 4chan and Twitter, the template serves as a high-tier reaction image to validate someone's unfiltered take on a subject. Whether used ironically or sincerely, the meme has evolved through various iterations, including photoshopped images of celebrities and political figures, all signaling that a particular post has reached legendary levels of authenticity.