throw shade

T

throw shade (idiom)
/θroʊ ʃeɪd/

Meaning

• subtly express contempt or disdain for someone, often through indirect comments or gestures.
• publicly criticize or show disrespect for someone in a subtle or indirect manner.
• indirectly insult or ridicule someone, often through nonverbal cues or subtle remarks.

Example Sentences

1. During the meeting, she threw shade at his proposal by smirking whenever he spoke.
2. He threw shade at his rival by praising everyone’s work except his.
3. On social media, celebrities often throw shade at each other through subtle posts.
4. She threw shade by complimenting everyone else’s outfit but ignoring hers.
5. His speech subtly threw shade at the previous administration’s policies.

Origin and History

The term “shade” has been used in literature to imply a negative connotation. For instance, in Jane Austen’s 1814 novel Mansfield Park, a character mentions “throwing a shade” in the context of casting aspersions.

Ballroom Culture of the 1980s

The modern idiom “throw shade” originated in the 1980s within the Black and Latino LGBTQ+ ballroom scene in New York City. In this subculture, “shade” referred to subtle, indirect insults or dismissals exchanged among participants.

Documentary Exposure

The phrase gained wider recognition through the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which explored the drag ball culture of New York. In the film, drag queen Dorian Corey explains that “shade” is a refined form of insult:

“Shade is, I don’t tell you you’re ugly. But I don’t have to tell you, because you know you’re ugly.”

Mainstream Adoption

The term entered mainstream vernacular in the 1990s and 2000s, appearing in publications like The New York Times. Its usage was further popularized by the reality TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race, which introduced the concept to a broader audience.

Lexical Recognition

By 2017, “throw shade” was officially recognized by major dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster, reflecting its established place in American English.

Synonyms

1. dis
2. slight
3. snub
4. backhanded compliment
5. insinuate.

Important