Slender Man first emerged in 2009 on the Something Awful forums, created by Eric Knudsen (Victor Surge) as part of a paranormal image manipulation contest. Characterized by his tall, thin physique, lack of facial features, and signature black suit, he quickly became a cornerstone of internet creepypasta culture. Beyond the initial urban legends, the Slender Man meme evolved to represent the feeling of being watched or the absurdity of finding unexpected figures in mundane settings. Today, he is used in both genuine horror content and satirical memes that subvert his eerie aesthetic for comedic effect, often symbolizing social anxiety or awkward lurking.