A person, usually a child, who cries easily over small problems or setbacks; someone overly sensitive or easily upset.
Compound word from 'cry' and 'baby.' The term emerged in American English in the 1800s as a straightforward descriptor combining two simple concepts: someone who cries like a baby.
It's one of the most direct insults in English—we literally just stuck 'cry' and 'baby' together and created a whole category of annoying people! Language doesn't get more efficient than playground name-calling.
Gendered insult historically applied more harshly to boys failing masculinity norms. The term conflates emotional expression with feminine weakness and incompetence.
Use 'overly emotional' or 'easily upset' if discussing behavior, avoiding ad-hominem labels that police emotional expression.
["easily upset","emotionally reactive","sensitive to criticism"]
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