The Cats vs. Cucumbers meme took the internet by storm in 2015 after a series of viral videos showed domestic cats leaping in terror upon noticing a cucumber placed silently behind them. The phenomenon stems from a cat's natural startle response to an unexpected object that resembles a predator, like a snake, appearing suddenly in their safe feeding zone. Since its peak, the meme has evolved into a metaphorical template for any situation where a person is blissfully unaware of a looming, often trivial, problem that causes an over-the-top reaction. It remains a staple of animal humor and a relatable way to depict life's sudden, jarring surprises.