soyjak
A "soyjak" is a specific type of crude, hand-drawn caricature used primarily in internet memes to depict a person who is perceived as weak, overly enthusiastic, or emotionally fragile. The mental image is that of a wide-eyed, open-mouthed, and often disheveled figure, frequently used to mock someone's earnest opinions or intense reactions to trivial matters. The term is a portmanteau of "soy boy" and "wojak," the latter being the original base character template. It is almost exclusively used in highly online, adversarial contexts to discredit an opponent's argument by painting them as a pathetic or hysterical caricature. It is considered derogatory and inflammatory, and is rarely used in polite or professional discourse.
In conversation
Mocking an opponent online
I just don't think that game was worth the price.
I just don't think that game was worth the price.
Imagine writing a paragraph about it. Absolute soyjak energy.
Imagine writing a paragraph about it. Absolute soyjak energy.
Used here to dismiss someone as overly emotional for expressing a negative opinion.
Discussing meme culture
Why do people keep posting those weird face drawings?
Why do people keep posting those weird face drawings?
It's just the latest iteration of the soyjak meme, usually used to troll people.
It's just the latest iteration of the soyjak meme, usually used to troll people.
Used as a neutral descriptor for the meme format itself.
Examples
He posted a soyjak of me to win the argument.
He posted a soyjak of me to win the argument.
The internet is saturated with endless variations of the soyjak caricature.
The internet is saturated with endless variations of the soyjak caricature.
Critics argue that the ubiquitous use of the soyjak has poisoned the nuance of online political discourse.
Critics argue that the ubiquitous use of the soyjak has poisoned the nuance of online political discourse.
