Big Chungus originated from a 1941 Merrie Melodies cartoon where Bugs Bunny briefly mocks a fat Elmer Fudd, but it didn't become a cultural phenomenon until late 2018 when a fictional game cover went viral on Reddit. While the meme initially enjoyed mainstream popularity, it quickly evolved into a symbol of ironic humor, often used to satirize the predictable and sometimes cringeworthy nature of 'wholesome' internet culture. Today, Ironic Big Chungus memes are staples of the surreal and meta-humor subgenres, frequently paired with captions like 'Wholesome 100' or references to Keanu Reeves to mock overused tropes. Whether used as a sincere throwback or a layered meta-commentary on meme lifecycles, Big Chungus remains one of the most resilient and recognizable icons of digital culture.