Dank originally described something unpleasantly damp and chilly, like a musty basement or a cave where moisture clings to the walls. You might find dank conditions in an old cellar where the air feels heavy and cold, and everything smells like wet earth and mildew.

Over time, the word took on a completely different meaning in internet culture and slang. Today, when someone calls a meme or joke dank, they mean it's especially funny, clever, or cool in an offbeat way. A dank meme typically has an absurd or unexpected twist that makes it funnier than ordinary jokes. This slang usage started online and spread quickly among young people who wanted a word to describe humor that felt fresh and entertaining.

The two meanings couldn't be more different: one describes something literally damp, musty, and unpleasant, while the other celebrates something figuratively excellent and amusing. When you encounter dank in older books or formal writing, it probably means cold and wet. When you see it online or hear it from friends, it likely means something impressively funny or cool.