Internet
r-bombing
What does r-bombing mean?
Reading someone's messages and deliberately not replying, weaponising the read receipt so they see you've seen it and chosen silence.
"He's R-bombing me, read at 9pm and still not a single word back."
Origin
The 'R' stands for the read receipt; 'bombing' captures the deliberate hit of being left on read. The term emerged with read-receipt culture in the late 2010s.
Frequently asked questions
What does R-bombing mean in texting?
It's deliberately reading someone's message and not replying, letting the 'read' receipt sit visible as a passive power move.
Why is R-bombing hurtful?
Because the read receipt proves the person saw your message and actively chose not to respond, which feels more pointed than simply being busy.
How do you deal with being R-bombed?
Most advice is to avoid double-texting in a panic and to read it as a sign of their low effort rather than your worth.
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