The 'Lightning Bolt!' meme originated from a low-quality viral video uploaded in the early 2000s, featuring a LARPer (Live Action Role Player) repeatedly shouting the phrase while tossing bean bags at his opponents to simulate magical attacks. It quickly became a hallmark of early internet culture, symbolizing the awkward yet passionate nature of niche hobbies. Today, the meme is frequently used to represent spamming a single powerful move in a video game, over-enthusiastic reactions, or situations where someone keeps trying the same tactic regardless of its actual effectiveness in the real world.