The 'I Understood That Reference' meme originates from the 2012 film The Avengers, featuring Steve Rogers (Captain America). During a scene where Nick Fury mentions 'flying monkeys' from The Wizard of Oz, Rogers proudly announces he understood the reference, highlighting his effort to catch up on decades of missed culture. The meme took off as a way for internet users to signal their recognition of niche jokes, easter eggs, or meta-commentary. It is frequently used in comment sections and social media threads to acknowledge a clever callback or a shared piece of trivia within a specific fandom or community.