The 'Checks Notes' meme is a versatile text-based format often used to highlight hypocrisy, ironies, or factual errors. It mimics the behavior of a public speaker or presenter who pauses to verify a confusing or contradictory piece of information in their script. While it gained significant traction on Twitter and Tumblr as a way to mock political gaffes or corporate double-speak, it has since evolved into a general-purpose tool for calling out anyone whose actions don't match their words. The meme effectively uses a theatrical pause to emphasize the absurdity of a situation, making it a staple of internet sarcasm and social commentary.