The Straining Kid meme features high school student Michael McGee and first gained internet fame in March 2014. The image depicts McGee sitting at a desk with his face turning beet red and veins bulging from his forehead, appearing to be under immense physical pressure. While the most famous caption involves him trying to hold a fart in next to a cute girl, McGee has since stated he was simply holding his breath and flexing to make a funny face for a friend. It remains a staple template for representing extreme effort, holding back an opinion, or dealing with high-stress situations.