What does Salty mean?

The term Salty is commonly used as slang to describe someone who is behaving or expressing themselves in a resentful, bitter, or irritated manner. 

It is often used to describe someone who is being overly sensitive, defensive, or angry, particularly in response to criticism or perceived slights. Additionally, “salty” can also be used to describe someone who is sarcastic or makes biting remarks. 

The term has gained popularity in online communities and is frequently used to describe someone’s negative or irritable attitude.

How did the term Salty get popular?

Salty became popular on social media due to its slang usage to describe someone who is angry, irritated, or resentful. The slang sense of Salty meaning angry or irritated was first attested in 19381. Over time, it gained traction and became widely used in online communities, particularly on platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok.

One possible contributing factor to the popularity of Salty as a social media term is the emergence and spread of viral memes and videos that incorporate the word. For example, there is a viral video known as “Shivering Dog” or “Chattering Teeth” that features a dog named Salty, chattering her teeth in a way that resembles being cold or mocked in fear. 

This video, which was uploaded on Instagram in 2018 and gained further attention on YouTube with the addition of shivering teeth sound effects, sparked a trend of dog cringe reaction memes on TikTok in 2021.

How to use Salty on social media?

To use the term Salty on social media, you can follow these guidelines:

1. Context: Use it when you want to describe someone’s behavior, attitude, or response that is bitter, irritated, or resentful. It is typically used to describe someone who is overly sensitive, defensive, sarcastic, or angered by a comment, criticism, or situation.
2. Emphasize emotions: When using Salty, try to convey the emotions of irritability, frustration, or resentment. You can do this by explaining the situation or using appropriate emojis to complement your message.
3. Examples: Here are a few ways you can incorporate Salty into your social media posts:
   • “Wow, they’re really getting salty over a difference of opinion.”
   • “I can’t handle their salty response to constructive feedback.”
   • “Why are some people so quick to get salty about harmless jokes?”
4. Tone: Be mindful of the tone you adopt when using Salty on social media. It’s important to strike a balance between expressing your thoughts and opinions while maintaining a respectful and constructive conversation. Using Salty should not be used to attack or demean others.