The Elf on the Shelf meme is a festive wordplay trend that turns a popular Christmas tradition into a rhyming puzzle. Originally a 2005 children's book and toy used to monitor kids' behavior, the concept transitioned into a viral meme format in late 2017. The template typically follows the phrasing 'You've heard of Elf on the Shelf, now get ready for...' followed by an image of one object or character placed on something that rhymes with its name. Famous examples include 'Shrek on a Deck' or 'Link on a Sink.' It has become a recurring holiday staple on social media, challenging users to come up with the most clever, obscure, or absurd rhymes possible to stump their audience.