卖萌
释义 DEFINITION
卖萌（mài méng）原意指刻意展现可爱特质，现演变为两种主要含义：
- 褒义用法：自然流露的可爱行为，如儿童天真表现
- 贬义用法：刻意做作的装嫩行为，常见于网络直播和社交媒体
在当代网络语境中，80%以上的使用场景带有调侃意味，特指通过夸张表情、娃娃音、幼态化动作来获取关注的行为，常见于Vtuber虚拟主播和网红短视频内容。
词源故事 ETYMOLOGY
该词的演变可分为三个阶段：
起源期（2005-2010）
受日本萌文化影响，ACGN（动画漫画游戏小说）圈层开始使用「萌え」的汉化表达。早期《凉宫春日的忧郁》等作品字幕组将「萌」定义为角色吸引力。
变异期（2011-2016）
随着直播行业兴起，斗鱼TV主播冯提莫通过刻意瞪眼、双手托腮等动作引发模仿热潮。2013年百度贴吧出现热帖《论卖萌的边际效益递减》，首次将该行为与经济学术语结合讨论。
泛化期（2017至今）
抖音美颜滤镜催生「十级萌化」特效，2020年虚拟偶像星瞳的腮红粒子特效引发争议，人民网曾发文《警惕过度卖萌背后的审美异化》。如今该词常出现在职场场景，如「简历卖萌」（用卡通头像）或「邮件卖萌」（添加颜文字）。
典型案例：2022年某银行员工因在工作会议中使用「喵~这个方案要加油哦~」的说话方式被客户投诉，相关聊天记录截图获得微博3.2亿次阅读。
DEFINITION
Kawaii baiting literally means 'selling cuteness', with dual connotations:
- Positive context: Authentic adorable behavior like a child's innocence
- Negative context: Artificial attempts to appear childlike, often using exaggerated facial expressions, high-pitched voices, and juvenile mannerisms
In current Chinese cyber culture, over 80% usage carries ironic undertones, particularly referencing livestreamers and influencers who mimic Japanese kawaii (cute) aesthetics to gain views. The term often implies suspicion of ulterior motives behind the cuteness.
ETYMOLOGY
The evolution of this phenomenon reflects China's digital cultural shifts:
Origins (2005-2010)
Influenced by Japanese moe culture, Chinese ACGN communities adopted the localized concept of 萌(méng). Early fansub groups translating shows like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya popularized it as character appeal.
Transformation (2011-2016)
Livestreaming platforms birthed stars like Feng Timo, whose signature moves（eye-widening, cheek-holding）spawned imitators. A 2013 Baidu Tieba post 'The Diminishing Marginal Utility of Acting Cute' first analyzed it through economic theory.
Pervasion (2017-Present)
Douyin's（TikTok）beauty filters enabled extreme cuteness modification. In 2020, virtual idol StarTrix's blush particle effects sparked debate, with state media warning against 'aesthetic distortion'. Now prevalent in professional contexts - from LinkedIn profiles with anime avatars to corporate emails using kaomoji (^_^).
Notable case: A 2022 Weibo scandal where a bank employee used 'Nya~ Let's work hard on this proposal~' during client meetings, leading to 320M views and nationwide discussions about workplace appropriateness.