The 'How many times do I have to teach you this lesson, old man?' meme originates from the SpongeBob SquarePants episode 'The Bully,' which first aired in 2002. In the scene, a misunderstanding leads an angry crowd to attack the innocent Old Man Jenkins, mistakenly believing he is the bully SpongeBob is terrified of. The specific line is shouted by a background character as the mob closes in. Online, the image and quote are used to mock people, entities, or situations that fail to learn from past mistakes or keep returning after being defeated, making it a staple for sports rivalries, gaming, and relatable life frustrations.