1 definition by CheatsaPizza
1. v. cringe - to recoil in embarrassment
2. n. cringe - an instance of recoiling in embarrassment
Modern usage stems from its popularity among uncreative Zoomers circa 2013 who continue employ it as a banal and inane pejorative in virtual discourse when they feel threatened by media, memes, or posts that 1. break convention as defined by their narrow social experience in an arbitrary microcosm of internet culture 2. exceed their puerile comprehension in complexity or length or 3. induce even the slightest sense of insecurity for which they cannot muster a lazy conditioned riposte.
In this regard, the word has come to mean "An expression of pious and empty derision toward another person's thoughts, actions, or beliefs that (without discussion) implies ones own beliefs are normative and therefore superior."
2. n. cringe - an instance of recoiling in embarrassment
Modern usage stems from its popularity among uncreative Zoomers circa 2013 who continue employ it as a banal and inane pejorative in virtual discourse when they feel threatened by media, memes, or posts that 1. break convention as defined by their narrow social experience in an arbitrary microcosm of internet culture 2. exceed their puerile comprehension in complexity or length or 3. induce even the slightest sense of insecurity for which they cannot muster a lazy conditioned riposte.
In this regard, the word has come to mean "An expression of pious and empty derision toward another person's thoughts, actions, or beliefs that (without discussion) implies ones own beliefs are normative and therefore superior."
Example 1 - laziness is normative
Person 1: *posts comment exceeding 500 characters*
Person 2: *reads in entirety* "cringe, didn't read"
Example 2: intransigence is normative
Person 1: "I disagree with your opinion"
Person 2: "cringe"
Example 3: ones personal tastes are normative
Person 1: "I really enjoyed that movie"
Person 2: "ugh, cringe"
Person 1: *posts comment exceeding 500 characters*
Person 2: *reads in entirety* "cringe, didn't read"
Example 2: intransigence is normative
Person 1: "I disagree with your opinion"
Person 2: "cringe"
Example 3: ones personal tastes are normative
Person 1: "I really enjoyed that movie"
Person 2: "ugh, cringe"
by CheatsaPizza March 4, 2021