SNOWFLAKE

What Does Snowflake Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

Snowflake means "Someone Who Is Easily Offended."

More Observations...

The term snowflake is used as a pejorative or derogatory term to describe someone who is perceived to be easily offended by opinions which differ from their own. The use of snowflake as a politicized insult was originally aimed at young people (see Generation Snowflake). However, its use was subsequently expanded by those on the political right to attack people of any age for criticizing or protesting policies, actions or attitudes which they deem politically, racially, or socially unjust.

Image for Snowflake

When I write snowflake, I mean this:

Snowflakes are delicate and melt under pressure.

Summary of Key Points

"Someone Who Is Easily Offended" is, by far, the most common meaning for Snowflake when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

Snowflake
Definition:	Someone Who Is Easily Offended
Type:	Slang Word (Jargon)
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of Snowflake in Sentences

Here are examples of Snowflake in conversation:

• Sam: Kids nowadays are all snowflakes.
• Ali: That's rich, coming from someone who voted for the Snowflake-in-Chief!

• Lee: They shouldn't allow kids to wear those horrible costumes at Halloween.
• Chris: Stop being such a snowflake! It's great fun.

An Academic Look at Snowflake

Snowflake is typically used as a noun (i.e., a naming word). Snowflake is a pejorative (i.e., a word or term expressing contempt or disapproval). It is also a neologism (i.e., a newly coined word or phrase). It came to prominence as a politicized insult in 2016.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we might have said something like "Overly sensitive" or "Fragile" instead of using Snowflake.

Example of Snowflake Used in a Text

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