Tom and Jerry, the classic cat-and-mouse cartoon created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera for MGM in 1940, made Jerry one of animation's most recognisable characters, famous for outwitting Tom in fast, wordless slapstick. Because the show relies so heavily on sound effects and exaggerated reactions, short clips of Jerry screaming have been lifted for memes, reaction videos and soundboards, where a single second of cartoon panic instantly signals fear or surprise. Its staying power comes from that instant recognition across generations of viewers.