The 'Beating a Dead Horse' meme is a visual representation of a centuries-old idiom referring to the futile act of pursuing a topic that is no longer relevant or has already been settled. While the phrase itself dates back to the 19th century, its digital iteration gained traction as a way to criticize social media users, companies, or fandoms that continue to dwell on exhausted jokes or outdated controversies. The image typically features a simplified drawing of a figure relentlessly striking a horse carcass, symbolizing the repetitive and pointless nature of certain discussions. It is frequently used in gaming communities to mock developers for over-milking franchises or on forums to call out repost culture and circular logic.