{"id":7712,"date":"2022-08-11T17:35:14","date_gmt":"2022-08-11T17:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=7712"},"modified":"2022-08-11T17:35:14","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T17:35:14","slug":"snowflake-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/snowflake-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Snowflake \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you talking to a young person that\u2019s whining about social issues? You could call them a \u2018snowflake<\/em>\u2019 and walk away. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018snowflake\u2019<\/em> is a derogatory slur at someone in the late millennial or Gen Z generation. Typically, it refers to an entitled person that whines about social issues in an attempt to seek \u2018social justice<\/em>.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

A \u2018snowflake<\/em>\u2019 is a part of \u2018woke<\/em>\u2019 culture where people identifying with the ideology feel the need to expose social inequity. However, in most cases, all they do is upset other Americans that don\u2019t have the same views on social justice.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\"Listen here, snowflake. I don't care about your' social justice.' I only care about my family and friends. You mean nothing to me. Get out of my face.\"<\/p>\n

\"All these snowflakes think they're so special. They spend their days protesting to defund the police and get scared when people start breaking into their homes.\"<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression 'snowflake' originates from the 1860s, when activities would use the term to refer to those opposing the abolition of slavery. The expression referred to the white color of snow representing the wealthy white families in the south.<\/p>\n

The term died out for almost a century before appearing in 'Green's Dictionary of Slang,' published in the 1970s. Green defines 'snowflake' as the following.<\/p>\n

'A white person or a black person who was perceived as acting too much like a white person.'<\/p>\n

However, the modern use of the term appeared in 2015 to describe the 'Snowflake Generation.' Author Claire Fox coined the modern use of the term in her book, 'I Find That Offensive!,' in 2016, discussing a faculty confrontation with students at yale University.<\/p>\n

The backlash on the students in the video led to the widespread adoption of 'Snowflake' to describe whining, privileged college kids that fight for social justice.<\/p>\n