The 'Democracy Dies in Darkness' slogan was officially adopted by The Washington Post in early 2017, intended to emphasize the importance of journalism in a free society. However, the internet immediately latched onto its somewhat ominous and 'edgy' tone, comparing it to something out of a superhero movie or a heavy metal album. This led to a wave of slogan parodies where users replaced the original text with humorous alternatives like 'Democracy Dies in Dankness' or 'Dinner Dies in the Microwave.' These memes are popular for poking fun at self-serious branding or for providing satirical commentary on media and politics.