Abstract: This thesis conducts a research on Internet buzzwords from the perspective of memetics. Firstly, this thesis elaborates the definition and existed studies of Internet buzzwords. Secondly, this thesis will give a detailed introduction about origin, definition and present studies of meme both at home and abroad. Thirdly, the relationship between meme and language, and memetic phenomenon in Internet buzzwords will be analyzed; the reasons why Internet buzzwords are strong memes and the way of replication and transmission of Internet buzzwords will be explained as well. Finally, this thesis will try to find out the characteristics of successful Internet buzzwords memes and the impacts of Internet memes on our daily life.

Key words:  memetics; internet buzzwords; strong meme; replication; transmission 

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction .1 

2. Literature Review.....2 

2.1 Definition of Internet Buzzwords

2.2 Studies of Buzzwords at Home and Abroad

3. Theoretical Framework.3

3.1Origin and Definition of Memes

3.2Classification of Memes

3.2.1 Strong Memes and Weak Memes 

3.2.2 Relationship between Strong Memes and Weak Memes

3.3 Memetic Studies Abroad and at Home

3.3.1 Memetic Studies Abroad 

3.3.2 Memetic Studies at Home

4. A Memetic Study on the Internet Buzzwords..6

4.1Meme in Internet Buzzwords

4.1.1 Language and Meme

4.1.2 Internet Buzzwords and Strong Memes

4.2Replication and Transmission of Internet Buzzwords Memes 

4.3Characteristics of A Successful Internet Buzzwords Memes

4.4Impacts of Internet Buzzwords Memes

5. Conclusion.12 

Bibliography.13

Acknowledgements..14