AboutWhat does the meme depict?
The 'Ol' Reliable' meme, also known as 'La Vieja Confiable' in Spanish, features a screen capture from the animated television series Spongebob Squarepants. In this image, the character Spongebob is shown holding a net inside a box labeled 'Ol' Reliable'. This box traditionally contains his trusted jellyfishing net. The meme becomes exploitable when users replace the net with various objects, phrases, or images to humorously represent overused or reliable solutions in different scenarios.
OriginWho did it first?
The image for the 'Ol' Reliable' meme is sourced from an episode of Spongebob Squarepants titled 'Nature Pants,' which was originally broadcast on September 11, 1999. You can read more about this episode here. This episode is notable for featuring several memorable scenes, including the creation of other popular memes such as Tired Spongebob and Savage Patrick. In the specific scene used for the 'Ol' Reliable' meme, Spongebob, who decides to forsake civilization to live with nature, is seen handling his trusted jellyfishing net, 'Ol' Reliable,' presenting it to Patrick. The meme's impact and usage were amplified through various edits and exploits by the online community. The scene can also be watched online here on Youtube.[1]
Origin: 1999