Short animal sounds like this one have become a staple of online video and messaging, where a recognisable meow can carry a joke without any words. Creators use it to stand in for a pet, to react to something cute or to soften a scene, and listeners instantly understand the reference because cats are familiar across languages and cultures. The Spanish spelling miau also helps it travel, since the sound is understood even when the spelling changes. Its short length suits reels, shorts and chat replies, which is why simple pet sounds keep circulating long after trends fade.