What does Bait mean?
Content designed to provoke an angry response
Detailed Explanation
In internet slang, 'bait' is content, such as a comment, post, or title, that is intentionally made to be provocative in order to lure people into an angry or argumentative response. It is a form of trolling. When someone posts obvious bait, other users will often respond with 'don't take the bait' to warn others not to engage.
Usage Examples
“His comment is so obviously wrong, it has to be bait.”
“I'm not going to argue with you, I know that's just bait.”
“The forum is full of low-quality bait posts today.”
Origin & History
The term is a metaphor from fishing. It became a common term on internet forums and imageboards in the 2000s to describe the act of 'fishing' for angry replies. It is a fundamental concept for understanding online trolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'rage bait'?
'Rage bait' is a specific and highly effective form of bait designed to make people as angry as possible, as outrage is one of the strongest drivers of online engagement and clicks.