I had certainly been familiar with “flakes,” people who let me down, who didn’t show up for a repair when they said they would, people who neglected to return books I had lent them, and ones who ignored social niceties. But recently, having heard people called “snowflakes,” I started to wonder what the name meant.
At first I figured that snowflakes are intricate and lovely, but that didn’t seem to go with the way the word was being used as a criticism. Then I thought that they melt easily and wondered if that was the quality alluded to. Finally I went to the internet and read up on the word. Sadly, I left somewhat confused.
Apparently one use of the word refers to the uniqueness of any given snowflake. A child can be seen by parents as incredibly special, one of a kind, and treated as royalty. Thus a spoiled child can grow into an entitled adult.
Another use seems to refer to the fragility of a snowflake. In this instance it is used in a derogatory fashion about young adults who are easily offended or triggered or demanding special treatment.
I think that if a word is this confusing perhaps people my age should avoid using it. As my grandson so pointedly told me last week “You are not up on modern culture, are you?” No, I’m not. Although I can make frequent use of 60’s slang, for me “snowflakes” will continue to refer to the stuff falling from the sky.
Saved By Words 
I found this online here.
‘Snowflake is a 2010s derogatory slang term for a person, implying that they have an inflated sense of uniqueness, an unwarranted sense of entitlement, or are overly-emotional, easily offended, and unable to deal with opposing opinions.’
I thought it was to do with the weather too. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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It seems especially given to young adults by older adults, at least here.
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I had to look it up. Never used it.
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What a creative mine to apply a new meaning to an existing word and have it adopted by an entire culture.
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If only they all agreed on what it meant!
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There are so many words where the the meaning has changed over time or had multiple meanings at the same time. Fun to study, but tough to learn as a foreigner!
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Or even as a “older” woman.
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Who can keep up? It’s too bad that such a lovely word describing an incredible natural phenomena would be spoiled. I’ll continue to use it ‘properly’ and trust the meaning will be understood based on the context.
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By the time I’ve caught up with a new use of a word it’s probably moved on anyway and out of date. I’m old enough that my children are using out of date slang, so there’s no hope for me.
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Now I am trying to understand my grandchildren, so for a while I am semi-current. Stress on the semi.
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Thank you for the explanation Elizabeth. I’m still not sure of the correct modern usage so I’ll just have to remain a confused oldie!
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I think there isn’t a common usage. As the other Pete says, it has turned into an all purpose insult.
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It seems the modern way, to insult, rather than discuss, negotiate, and compromise!
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Someone called me a snowflake once on Facebook. I just responded with a smiley icon and said, “I love snowflakes. They’re one of God’s finest creations.” My response got several “laugh” icons, so people must have liked my response.
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That is a great comeback. I wonder what they meant.
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I prefer the flakes from the sky.
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Me too. Any day now I think.
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That’s a new one on me Elizabeth! I only know the original meaning 😀
Blessings,
Jennifer
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No point trying to figure the other out.
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Thank you Elizabeth for the details of the word
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The overuse of “snowflake” in today’s culture is annoying. It seems that if anyone has a differing viewpoint, the go-to move of so many people (especially on the Internet) is to call them a snowflake. I find it rather juvenile.
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I thought if I looked it up it would end my confusion. But you are right that it is now a generalized criticism without any other shared meaning.
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I think I have heard this term before and somebody had asked the same question: “What does it even mean?”
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I have never heard the term snowflake used in this manner, Elizabeth. I have noticed my younger son using some odd expressions which I don’t know and wouldn’t use. That is the nature of teens.
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I continue to amuse my grandchildren with my clueless sense about their words.
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