Internet
weaponized incompetence
What does weaponized incompetence mean?
Loosely, any strategic helplessness used to offload work.
"Asking where the spoons are after ten years is weaponized incompetence."
Origin
The concept comes from labor and feminist discourse on the 'mental load'; the catchy phrase 'weaponized incompetence' went viral on TikTok around 2021-2022.
Frequently asked questions
What does weaponized incompetence mean?
It's deliberately performing a task badly so someone else takes it over, used to dodge responsibility.
Where is weaponized incompetence usually talked about?
Mostly in relationship and household-chore discourse, but also at work when people fake confusion to avoid tasks.
What does weaponized incompetence mean on TikTok?
It's a viral term calling out partners who pretend to be bad at chores so they don't have to do them.
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