The 'Pool Noodle Hat Guy' meme features a man wearing a wide, circular headpiece constructed entirely from colorful pool noodles. While various versions of pool-noodle headgear have existed, the image gained significant traction during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic as a humorous representation of extreme social distancing measures. It quickly became a symbol for introverts, people guarding their personal space, or simply as an example of 'Final Boss' energy in mundane settings. The meme is typically used to represent someone taking a concept to its most absurd logical conclusion or as a relatable reaction to unwanted social interaction.