A special case of robbing where a victim is forgetful of something and the thief disguises their crime by playing on the victim’s forgetfulness.
By reminding the victim of something that they forgot* at a time where they cannot retrieve it, it allows enough time for them to forget about it again, leaving the thief with the goods.
It’s a type of physical gaslighting that makes the aggressor appear completely innocent (despite their intent) and the victim seem as though they are irresponsible with their items**.
*The victim did not forget anything. They were robbed and convinced otherwise. This is important for the ruse to work.
**This happens with hoodies a lot.
By reminding the victim of something that they forgot* at a time where they cannot retrieve it, it allows enough time for them to forget about it again, leaving the thief with the goods.
It’s a type of physical gaslighting that makes the aggressor appear completely innocent (despite their intent) and the victim seem as though they are irresponsible with their items**.
*The victim did not forget anything. They were robbed and convinced otherwise. This is important for the ruse to work.
**This happens with hoodies a lot.
Jessica took Terry’s sunglasses. Terry was told that his sunglasses were left at Jessica’s apartment after a beach trip even though he always leaves them in his car. Jessica reminded Terry on three separate occasions that he left his stuff there only while he was at work or with friends knowing he’ll forget. Jessica finally stopped reminding him and kept his glasses. Jessica used passive thievery.
by anonymous February 20, 2023
Get the Passive Thieverymug. by Mr dictionary fictionary August 24, 2020
Get the Passive hornymug. by Jochen Lüders September 4, 2017
Get the passivatemug. Wearing a cosplay costume, at an inappropriate time/place, to tick off someone you dislike, instead of having a verbal confrontation with them. It works best when used on people who are too stupid to get your reference. Passive aggressive cosplay can be used as an effective form of non-verbal protest.
At the (society for narcissistic mothers) picnic -
Suzy: “Jane, why are you dressed like Joan Crawford?”.
Jane: “Shhhh.... It’s passive-aggressive cosplay”.
At the (society for book-burners) annual brunch -
Rachel: “Jane, why are you dressed like Arya Stark from Game of Thrones?”
Jane: “Shhh.... It’s passive aggressive cosplay”.
Suzy: “Jane, why are you dressed like Joan Crawford?”.
Jane: “Shhhh.... It’s passive-aggressive cosplay”.
At the (society for book-burners) annual brunch -
Rachel: “Jane, why are you dressed like Arya Stark from Game of Thrones?”
Jane: “Shhh.... It’s passive aggressive cosplay”.
by 3374267182 May 28, 2018
Get the passive aggressive cosplaymug. When government takes advantage of its citizens to charge extra fees for better service to the benefit of rich people who can afford it and to the detriment of poor people who can't.
by pwakeman July 17, 2023
Get the passive-regressivemug. by UrbanLinguist :) June 24, 2025
Get the passive voicemug. 1) To say things or act in such a way as to offend, without being directly offensive. 2) indirectly offensive
by Paul & this girl December 4, 2017
Get the passive offensivemug.