The 'I Was Only Pretending To Be Retarded' meme is a multi-panel webcomic that satirizes the act of using irony as a defense mechanism for genuine stupidity or social failure. Originating on imageboards like 4chan in the early 2010s, the comic features a stick figure acting absurdly, being called out by others, and then claiming the behavior was an intentional joke to feel superior. It is frequently utilized in internet arguments to mock people who backpedal after their opinions or actions are widely criticized. The meme remains a staple of internet culture for highlighting the 'irony poisoning' prevalent in online communities where sincerity is often hidden behind layers of trolling.