Nice sport (n.): A person who publicly laughs along with satire or mockery directed at them in order to appear unfazed, but without acknowledging or addressing the criticism behind it. A kind of performative good sportmanship that shields from accountability.
The term is a play on the term "good sport" and "nice guy". The main crux being the difference between "good" and "nice", where "niceness" can refer to surface-level agreeableness rather than genuine kindness or self-awareness. It can be transactional, performatice, potentially even ignorant or indifferent.
The "nice" part can also be interpreted as a reference to South Park, specifically a quote many people unfortunately make unironically (whether or not they realize that the scene they are quoting is actually mocking their behaviour).
The term is a play on the term "good sport" and "nice guy". The main crux being the difference between "good" and "nice", where "niceness" can refer to surface-level agreeableness rather than genuine kindness or self-awareness. It can be transactional, performatice, potentially even ignorant or indifferent.
The "nice" part can also be interpreted as a reference to South Park, specifically a quote many people unfortunately make unironically (whether or not they realize that the scene they are quoting is actually mocking their behaviour).
A: Have you seen how Bill McIonaire is responding to the comedians bashing him? He's embracing the satire and being a good sport about it.
B: No, he's just co-opting the jokes to deflect criticism and gain the audience's approval. He's being a "nice sport" about it.
B: No, he's just co-opting the jokes to deflect criticism and gain the audience's approval. He's being a "nice sport" about it.
by I-Don't-Want-A-Nickname September 04, 2025
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