The 'Lurk Moar' meme originated on 4chan in the mid-2000s as a response to newcomers who failed to understand the local culture or etiquette of an imageboard. Usually paired with an image of a wide-eyed cat or a stylized 'Lurk Moar' logo, the phrase is a command to observe the community silently ('lurking') before attempting to post. It serves as both a hazing ritual and a practical guide for internet subcultures, emphasizing that knowledge of unwritten rules is earned through observation. Over the years, it has become a cornerstone of internet gatekeeping and a nostalgic nod to the early days of anonymous web culture.