The Smiling Cat meme, most famously featuring Ollie the Cat, went viral due to its uniquely polite yet incredibly awkward facial expression. Ollie's signature smile is actually a result of photo manipulation that tucked his lips in, creating a look that resonates with anyone forced to smile through an uncomfortable or forced situation. First gaining massive traction on Instagram and Reddit around 2018, the image became a global shorthand for polite acceptance or social anxiety. It remains a staple of internet culture for its relatability and wholesome, if slightly tense, energy.