I want to tell u guys something that negatively happened to me when I was younger, cuz why not? ✌️
I was around 10 years old and scrolling through TikTok one day when I found a Gacha clip where characters transformed based on their labels.
One was a Mom, and she became a lil girl.
I thought it was funny, so I commented: “The mom becomes a loli! ”
At the time, I thought “Loli = Little girl.” That was LITERALLY the meaning I'd seen ONLINE
Then the replies started. “Ew,” “Touch some grass,” “Not funny,” called me a Pedophile, and even told me to kill myself
Seriously, I was so confused! I couldn't believe that such an normal cmt attract so many threats, even DEATH threats
My thought, “What did I even do wrong? Why are they being so mean to me?!”
Looking back, I understand what happened. They already knew the other, SEXUALIZED meaning of the word, so they assumed that was what I meant.
But it wasn't.
Now I understand why the word made them uncomfortable, but I wish someone had just explained it instead of immediately assuming the worst.
Years later, I found that clip again. Turns out I'd already explained myself back then, but nobody believed me. Bruh.
Ironically, I know what the word is associated with now. Whenever I see it, my first reaction is: “...Ew.”
I guess the lesson is: Intent and interpretation aren't always the same. People online only see your words, not what's in your head.
So nowadays, I try to think twice before judging someone for an “inappropriate” comment.
Though sometimes my impulse takes over and I just roast them.
I mean, who would thoroughly researches a word just to use it? Certainly not me cuz I'm too lazy✌️
