吐槽
DEFINITION
TuCao (literally 'spit slot') is China's internet culture version of roasting, but with unique flavors:
- Cultural Hybrid: Born from Japanese tsukkomi tradition, now localized as digital-era social commentary
- Multilayered Function:
1. Critical edge: Calling out BS like "Roasting the influencer's filter fail"
2. Humor armor: Adding meme captions like "CCP's climate policy - hotter than my ex's temper"
3. Social glue: Friends exchanging "You dress like a walking traffic cone" as affection - Platform Evolution: From Bilibili bullet comments to Douyin roasts under official media posts
ETYMOLOGY
The evolution of TuCao mirrors China's digital generation's psyche:
Phase 1: Otaku Import (2006-2012)
When anime Gintama's Kagura became the 'Tsukkomi Queen', Chinese netizens adopted it with memes like "My wallet needs roasting after 11.11"
Phase 2: Variety Show Revolution (2015)
Comedian Li Dan turned political correctness-roasting into art: "China's entertainment industry - where 'copy' meets 'paste'"
Phase 3: State Media Co-opting (2020)
Communist Youth League's viral post: "Roasting America's COVID response isn't bullying - it's karma" gained 2.4M likes
Cultural Code:
Add 🐶 emoji when roasting superiors, just like saying "no homo" after bromance jokes. The ultimate backhanded compliment: "Let me roast your new haircut... which somehow makes you look rich!"