but i can't prove it meme

The "But I Can't Prove It" meme originated from the TV series Dexter, specifically the character Detective Sergeant James Doakes, played by Erik King. In the show, Doakes suspects that Dexter is a serial killer but is consistently unable to prove it. This premise inspired the meme, where images of Doakes with determined or suspicious looks are captioned with phrases about knowing something but lacking proof. The meme started spreading online around September 2024 and gained major popularity throughout 2025 on platforms like Reddit, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). It humorously captures the feeling of being certain about something yet unable to evidence it.