The 'Flatten the Curve' meme emerged in early 2020 as a visualization of public health strategies to slow the spread of COVID-19. Based on a 2007 CDC graphic, the chart illustrates two scenarios: a sharp peak that exceeds healthcare capacity and a flatter curve that stays within manageable limits. While originally an educational tool, the internet quickly adapted the template to joke about anything that grows out of control, from personal laundry piles to the sheer volume of sourdough bread photos on social media. It serves as a digital landmark of the pandemic era, blending serious health advice with relatable situational irony.