- The “soft” part of “softboi” is a metaphor, which originally was used to describe the texture of object and now is being used to represent how softbois will act sensitive and vulnerable (emotionally soft).
Soft Boi
noun; blending; other word formation type Creative Respelling
A young male who lures women into dating him by appearing sensitive and brooding, but is actually just emotionally abusive and manipulative. Softbois are a 2019 version of the well-known “fuck boi,” a male who is also known for manipulating women but also for being very confident and upfront about how little they respect women. Softbois are equally manipulative but in a secretive way. They pretend to be feminist and an ally to women in order to get their way, but are just as selfish and misogynistic as the fuckboi.
Etymology : Blending of “soft” and “fuckboi” (which itself is a compound of “fuck” and a creative respelling, “boi,” of “boy”)
Source : “From Seth Cohen to the Hot Priest: A Cultural History of the Softboi” (article by Morwenna Ferrier for Vice, 9-3-2019)
Last modified: 12 December 2019