The obsession with memes has reached new heights in recent years. There is even a burgeoning cohort of researchers studying internet memes as a field of legitimate academic enquiry.

Hillary Clinton is among those with a penchant for the viral phenomena. The Democrat, who lost to Donald Trump in the presidential race, revealed her favourite meme at the Women in the World Summit in New York City last week.

In an interview with New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, the former Secretary of State said her preferred meme was one that sees a group of dogs sitting around a table at a board meeting.

“There is that classic picture of all of the men sitting around, deciding how they were going to defund Planned Parenthood and maternity care, and access to insurance for family planning and contraception,” she told the audience.

“Looking at that picture, you just think it has got to be from a skit on Saturday Night Live. It can’t possibly be true … My favourite GIF (aka meme) on the internet was showing the dogs sitting around the table, and the caption was, ‘Now we will discuss feline health.’”

The sentiment being that a solely male group discussing female reproductive health is the equivalent of a bunch of dogs sitting around discussing the health of cats.

Ms Clinton also expressed her fondness for this particular meme during her speech in San Francisco last month. Justin Shanes, a comedian, created the original meme, but the actual photo was originally taken by Brian Eckert.

In her first interview since the election, Ms Clinton also discussed how she had been spending her days since Mr Trump entered the White House.

Hillary Clinton's life in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Hillary Clinton's life in pictures Hillary Clinton's life in pictures Hillary Rodham Clinton as a Wellesley College senior Getty Hillary Clinton's life in pictures Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham in at Wellesley College Getty Hillary Clinton's life in pictures Hillary Rodham Working with the House Committee on Nixon's Impeachment Case Getty Hillary Clinton's life in pictures US Presidential candidate Bill Clinton with wife Hillary and daughter Chelsea at the Democratic National Convention Getty Hillary Clinton's life in pictures Bill and Hillary Clinton at the Inaugural Ball Getty Hillary Clinton's life in pictures Bill and Hillary Clinton with Barbara Bush Getty Hillary Clinton's life in pictures First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, President William Jefferson Clinton their daughter Chelsea, at the first state dinner of the Clintons administration Getty Hillary Clinton's life in pictures Hillary Clinton meets with 12 chidren in response to their letter to the President concerning their health problems Getty Hillary Clinton's life in pictures Nelson Mandela jokes with First Lady Hillary Clinton Getty Hillary Clinton's life in pictures Senator Hillary Rodham comforts Maren Sarkarat the conclusion of the Family Memorial Service held at Ground Zero of the WTC Getty

“I am doing pretty well, all things considered,” she told the audience. “The aftermath of the election was so devastating. Everything that has come to light in the days and weeks since have been all so troubling. I just had to make up my mind that yes, I was going to get out bed, and yes, I was going to go out for long walks in the woods, and spend time with my family.”

“As a person, I’m OK,” she assured the crowd, before adding: “As an American, I’m pretty worried.”

Ms Clinton argued misogyny had played a role in her defeat against Mr Trump but also recognised that her Republican rival managed to win a high proportion of women’s votes.

“I think in this election there was a very real struggle between what is viewed as change that is welcomed and exciting to so many Americans and change which is worrisome and threatening to so many others,” she said. “And you layer on the first woman president on top of that, and I think some people, women included, had real problems.”