The 'Fish Are Trying to Read' meme template captures the humorous and relatable struggle of attempting to comprehend something far beyond one's understanding. Often featuring images of fish staring intently at sunken objects, signs, or books underwater, the meme serves as a metaphor for being out of one's depth. It became popular on social media platforms like Reddit and Twitter to describe situations like reading legal jargon, complex software documentation, or high-level academic texts. The blank, wide-eyed stare of the fish perfectly encapsulates that specific brand of silent confusion when faced with overwhelming information.