Marcus the Worm emerged from the depths of niche internet communities as an emblem of surrealist humor and low-fidelity charm. Represented as a simple, often crudely drawn or low-poly worm character, Marcus is frequently used in scenarios involving mild confusion, quiet observation, or total existential dread. Unlike high-energy memes, Marcus the Worm thrives on 'little guy' energy—the idea of a small, harmless creature navigating a chaotic world. It gained traction on platforms like Twitter and Tumblr, where users began personifying the worm in various mundane yet bizarre situations, making it a staple of post-ironic internet culture.