The 'George Shoots Lennie' meme originates from the cinematic adaptations of John Steinbeck’s classic novella, Of Mice and Men. The scene depicts the heart-wrenching moment where George Milton is forced to euthanize his friend, Lennie Small, to spare him from a violent lynch mob. In internet culture, the template serves as a poignant metaphor for 'putting something out of its misery.' It is commonly used to describe deleting a failed project, ending a long-standing trend, or making a tough executive decision that is painful but deemed necessary for the greater good.