The 'Mickey Mouse Slicing Bread Thinly' meme originates from the 1947 Disney film Fun and Fancy Free, specifically the 'Mickey and the Beanstalk' segment. In this scene, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy are living in extreme poverty, leading Mickey to slice a single loaf of bread into paper-thin, transparent slices to share. The animation is a masterclass in visual storytelling for desperation and has since become a viral symbol for financial hardship, corporate 'bonuses,' or anyone trying to make limited resources last. It resonates with audiences because it perfectly captures the feeling of receiving the absolute bare minimum while trying to survive.