


Prior to October 24th, 2019, an unknown user made the earliest known meme based on that format, with the caption reading "The Tuna Melt" (shown below, right). On August 21st, iFunny user Kowl reposted the image (shown below, left). Prior to August 21st, 2019, an unknown user posted an edit of the image reading "The," erasing part of the caption from a previous meme (original meme could not be discovered). Starting in Autumn 2017, a Delet This reaction based on the scene gained popularity, with the earliest known post made by Twitter user on October 1st, 2017. For example, starting in July 2016, a photoshop in which marijuana was edited into the conch was circulated online, with the earliest found post made by iFunny user 12ozmouse on July 19th, 2016 (shown below, left). Prior to October 2019, the still image of Barnacle Boy attempting to destroy the conch with Sulfur Vision saw moderate use online in memes. Angered by his constant misuse of the item, Barnacle Boy takes the conch from SpongeBob and unsuccessfully attempts to destroy it with his "Sulfur Vision". In the episode, SpongeBob repeatedly summons the superheroes Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy to his aid by blowing a conch signal that he got from a cereal box.

On March 3rd, 2001, the SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II" premiered in the United States.
