Snowflake
A dismissive insult for someone portrayed as overly sensitive, easily offended, or convinced of their own specialness.
“He called everyone snowflakes when they objected to the insulting joke.”
The term is common in political and culture-war arguments and often says more about the speaker’s contempt than the target’s actual sensitivity.
Snowflake has older literary uses connected to uniqueness, but its modern political-insult sense became prominent in the 2010s, influenced by phrases such as special snowflake.
special snowflake
An older insult implying fragile self-importance.
snowflake generation
A broad stereotype applied to younger people.
triggered snowflake
A politicized intensified form.
Is snowflake tied to one political side?
It is most associated with conservative criticism, though people across ideologies may use it mockingly.
Why is the term controversial?
It can dismiss legitimate concerns by framing any objection as weakness.