Internet
subtweet
What does subtweet mean?
A tweet aimed at a specific person without @-mentioning them — close enough that they'll recognise themselves, vague enough that you can deny it. The passive-aggressive house special of Twitter/X. Cowardly when you're losing, devastating when you're winning.
"'Funny how some people borrow $200 and forget it exists' — sis that's a subtweet and we all know who."
Origin
Portmanteau of 'subliminal' + 'tweet', in use on Twitter since the early 2010s.
Frequently asked questions
What does subtweet mean?
It's posting about someone without naming them, so they're left wondering if it's about them.
How do you use subtweet in a sentence?
"That vague post about 'some people' was clearly a subtweet aimed at her ex."
Where does the word subtweet come from?
It's a blend of 'subliminal' and 'tweet,' originating from Twitter culture.
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