Rage bait
/reɪdʒ beɪt/
Definition
The meaning: Rage bait refers to content specifically designed to provoke strong emotional reactions, particularly anger or outrage, in order to generate engagement, shares, or comments, often found on social media platforms.
La signification: Du contenu spécifiquement conçu pour provoquer de fortes réactions émotionnelles, en particulier la colère ou l'indignation, afin de générer de l'engagement, des partages ou des commentaires, souvent trouvé sur les plateformes de médias sociaux.
A note: This term is commonly used to describe sensationalist or inflammatory content that exploits divisive issues to attract attention and interaction.
Word Analysis
French synonyms
» Appât à colère
» Contenu provocateur
» Provocation en ligne
» Incitation à la colère
» Piège à réactions
[Il a critiqué les médias pour leur utilisation fréquente de « rage bait ».]
English synonyms
» Anger bait
» Provocative content
» Outrage bait
» Clickbait for anger
» Reaction bait
[The article was clearly designed as rage bait to generate controversy.]
Example Dialogue
Seeng: "Did you see that post? It made me so angry!"
Mpho: "That's classic rage bait. They just want your reaction."
Seeng: "I know, but it’s hard to ignore."
Mpho: "Don’t fall for it. Scroll past and stay calm."
Etymology
Origin: The term "rage bait" is a modern colloquial expression that describes content designed to provoke anger or outrage. It likely emerged in the early 21st century with the rise of social media, reflecting the tendency of some online platforms to prioritize sensationalist content that elicits strong emotional reactions. The phrase highlights the manipulative nature of such content in driving engagement.
Audience
The term "rage bait" is informal and commonly used in discussions about media, online content, and social dynamics, particularly among digital natives and younger audiences. It is often employed to critique sensationalist tactics used in media.
When to use: Use "rage bait" when discussing the impact of provocative content on social media or the internet. For example: "That article was pure rage bait; it’s designed to get people riled up."
Dictionary Meaning
Wiktionary defines it this way: 'Content that provokes anger or fear in order to increase viewership or interaction. Manipulation to elicit a particular response'
My example is: "I got rage-baited by someone last night. I feel so stupid!"
News Snippet
"If AI learns to capture user attention ever more effectively, stoking anger and fomenting social comparison, the consequences for who lives, dies and reproduces will affect evolution. In the best of a series of bleak scenarios, the ability to resist social media or remain unmoved by rage bait might evolve to be stronger."
Read the full article at The Daily Maverick
Extra! Extra!
For a fun and engaging exploration of our word of the day,cwatch the following…
Video Lesson One
Video Lesson Two
Common Idioms and Expressions
Rage bait: Content designed to provoke anger or outrage, often for engagement or clicks.
Example: "That article is pure rage bait; it’s just trying to make people angry."
Bait and switch: A tactic where something appealing is offered initially, only to be replaced with something less desirable.
Example: "The ad promised a luxury vacation, but it was a bait and switch—we ended up in a rundown hotel."
Rage farming: The practice of creating or sharing content specifically to incite anger or outrage, often for profit or attention.
Example: "Social media influencers are often accused of rage farming to boost their engagement."
Outrage bait: Similar to rage bait, it refers to content intended to provoke strong emotional reactions, particularly outrage.
Example: "The headline was clearly outrage bait, designed to get people riled up."
Clickbait: Content designed to attract attention and encourage visitors to click on a link, often using sensational or misleading headlines.
Example: "That article was just clickbait; the content didn’t live up to the headline."
Rage quit: The act of abruptly leaving a situation, game, or activity out of frustration or anger.
Example: "After losing for the third time, he rage quit the game and turned off his console."
Baiting: The act of deliberately provoking someone to elicit a reaction, often negative.
Example: "He kept baiting her during the argument, trying to make her lose her temper."
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