The Cheems meme originates from a photograph of a Shiba Inu named Balltze, commonly known by the nickname "Ball Ball," from Hong Kong. The meme gained prominence on the internet, particularly on Reddit's r/dogelore subreddit, starting in June 2019. Cheems is characterized by his humorous speech pattern where he adds the letter "m" into words, creating a unique and amusing dialect, often referring to cheeseburgers as "cheemsburgers."

Cheems became an iconic figure within meme culture due to this quirky trait and has been featured in various meme formats. One of the most popular formats is "Swole Doge vs. Cheems," where Cheems represents something seen as inferior or lesser in a humorous comparison to "Swole Doge," which represents a superior or more robust version of past ideals or concepts.

The character of Cheems was not just limited to English-speaking internet culture; his appeal crossed language barriers, with memes in Spanish and other languages, showcasing his global impact. The meme often touches on various themes, from everyday life to more abstract or absurd concepts, making Cheems a versatile character in the meme world.

Balltze, the dog behind Cheems, sadly passed away on August 18, 2023, after a battle with cancer, which was widely mourned by the internet community, as noted in various posts on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms. His legacy continues through the myriad of memes that brought laughter and comfort to many, highlighting how internet culture can create shared experiences across the globe.