The 'Dad Lore' meme refers to the viral internet phenomenon where users highlight the surprisingly adventurous or intense past lives of their fathers. Often contrasted with their current, mundane dad persona, these stories involve secret military service, professional sports careers, or wild youthful antics that the father rarely discusses. The trend gained massive traction on TikTok and Reddit in 2023, typically using cinematic music or dramatic imagery to elevate these untold tales. It resonates because it taps into the universal realization that parents had entire lives and identities long before they became parents, turning family history into an epic saga of mythic proportions.