The Iraqi Shoe Toss meme stems from a 2008 press conference in Baghdad where Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw both of his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush as a sign of protest. Bush's quick reflexes and the sheer absurdity of the event instantly turned it into a global sensation. In meme culture, the template is used to represent someone successfully avoiding a problem, a literal or figurative 'incoming' threat, or to satirize political scandals. It remains a staple of internet history for its perfect blend of high-stakes tension and physical comedy, frequently resurfacing whenever someone 'dodges' a difficult situation.