meme

meme /meem/ n.  [coined by analogy with `gene', by
   Richard Dawkins] An idea considered as a {replicator}, esp.
   with the connotation that memes parasitize people into propagating
   them much as viruses do.  Used esp. in the phrase `meme
   complex' denoting a group of mutually supporting memes that form an
   organized belief system, such as a religion.  This lexicon is an
   (epidemiological) vector of the `hacker subculture' meme complex;
   each entry might be considered a meme.  However, `meme' is often
   misused to mean `meme complex'.  Use of the term connotes
   acceptance of the idea that in humans (and presumably other tool-
   and language-using sophonts) cultural evolution by selection of
   adaptive ideas has superseded biological evolution by selection of
   hereditary traits.  Hackers find this idea congenial for tolerably
   obvious reasons.