Colloquially, something desirable meant to lure targets into a trap, e.g. food on a fish-hook.
In the context of online discussion, it refers to poorly articulated and inflammatory opinions posted for the sole purpose of angering and provoking a response. The actual validity of the arguments exchanged is completely irrelevant, though baiters will often open with very poor arguments to tempt targets into an obvious rebuttal.
It's a powerful form of double bind, because:
1) Ignoring the bait makes you look like you're capitulating and "have no good response".
2) Answering aggressively opens you up to mockery about being butthurt or defensive.
3) Any calm, coherent response will be ignored, and might lead the baiter to escalate their provocation.
Regardless of how you react, these discussions are deliberately meant to waste your time and energy.
In the context of online discussion, it refers to poorly articulated and inflammatory opinions posted for the sole purpose of angering and provoking a response. The actual validity of the arguments exchanged is completely irrelevant, though baiters will often open with very poor arguments to tempt targets into an obvious rebuttal.
It's a powerful form of double bind, because:
1) Ignoring the bait makes you look like you're capitulating and "have no good response".
2) Answering aggressively opens you up to mockery about being butthurt or defensive.
3) Any calm, coherent response will be ignored, and might lead the baiter to escalate their provocation.
Regardless of how you react, these discussions are deliberately meant to waste your time and energy.
- "I can't believe how stupid this guy is, he's completely misrepresenting my position and-"
- "Dude, it's clearly bait. Let it go."
- "Dude, it's clearly bait. Let it go."
by Halucygeno May 31, 2022
Get the Baitmug. Female version of dickfishing. Sending a picture of a plumper and more inviting vagina in the hopes of inciting a prospective mate.
Ohh shit, look at this pic I received from my tinder match, full blown vag
Naw, she's just clam baiting you bro
Naw, she's just clam baiting you bro
by epaz22 February 3, 2023
Get the Clam baitingmug. Manipulating someone into performing a service or favour on your behalf with the promise of bacon as the reward.
by ElBee87 January 12, 2018
Get the Bacon Baitingmug. by Reemer1986 April 28, 2017
Get the Spit on baitmug. A Bait Stream Is A Live Interaction Found Typically On Tik Tok And Encourages Users To “Debate” Subjects around Religion,Sexual Orientation And Flat Earth Theories In Which The Live host Wants People To join To prove Him/Her wrong.
Did You See That Stream On Tik Tok With ol Mate Talking About Religion And there’s No God ?
Yeah His Bait Streaming Don’t Worry About It
Yeah His Bait Streaming Don’t Worry About It
by NightPossum February 25, 2023
Get the Bait Streamingmug. What a cat does by eating cheese and then hiding silently near a mouse-hole for a furry varmint to come out looking for da source of da delicious aroma.
Garfield is shown to easily catch multiple mice --- i.e., one underneath each foot --- without even trying very hard, and so it's possible dat he was "waiting with baited breath", and so da mice just flocked to him. Or of course, it could also merely be dat said speedy specimens of omnivorous opportunity have learned by now dat said tubby tabby never actually eats da mice he catches or otherwise harms them in any way, and so they are less watchful 'n' wary around Jon's house than they might be in other people's domiciles where da resident felines actually may hunt said rodents for real.
by QuacksO February 26, 2024
Get the waiting with baited breathmug. Not to be confused with compliment fishing, compliment baiting is the act of talking about oneself or their achievements, then pausing to wait for someone else to chime in to compliment them.
“when logan was telling his story he paused after he said he beat the guy talking shit to him during his match, he’s compliment baiting”
by nubble August 19, 2025
Get the compliment baitingmug.