The lolcat phenomenon grew out of "image macros" that are used on message boards. Not long ago, message boards were quaint text-only conversations. Now, the threads on free-for-all sites overflow with images with embedded remarks such as "Moar!" (I like your comments, let's hear more), or "Owned!" (the person who replied to your comment has devastated you with his or her wit), or, my favorite, a white owl that asks "O RLY?" (your comment was so obvious). A lot of image macros involve boobs, putting "the gay" on something, and declaring that the other person sucks. Often, the point is to shock with a disgusting image. But many of the macros are pleasingly daft, like this one, for when a conversation has become overly intense.