Beluga refers to the viral 'polite cat' named Ollie, known for his distinct, awkward-looking smile created through slight image manipulation. While the image of Ollie first gained fame as a reaction image representing politeness or social anxiety, it skyrocketed in popularity through the YouTube channel 'Beluga.' The channel uses the cat character in fast-paced Discord-style skits involving complex storylines and a recurring cast of other meme characters like Hecker. The meme is typically used to represent a character who is trying to remain polite in incredibly awkward, tense, or bizarre digital interactions, making it a staple of modern internet and gaming culture.