The 'Rate Limit Exceeded' meme emerged in July 2023 after Twitter owner Elon Musk implemented temporary reading limits to address extreme levels of data scraping and system manipulation. This move resulted in millions of users being greeted by a frustrating error message after scrolling through only a few hundred posts. The internet immediately reacted with a wave of memes mocking the platform's perceived decline and the irony of a social media site that prevents users from being social. The template typically features the official 'Rate Limit Exceeded' screenshot or portrays users being forced to touch grass against their will, capturing a specific moment in the chaotic transition of Twitter to X.