Throwing Shade – Meaning, Origin & Usage

Today, you often hear the phrase “throwing shade” used to describe the behaviour of political figures. It’s a figurative saying, so you can be forgiven for not knowing what it means.

However, you’re in luck because this article is going to cover everything. Here we will explain what the phrase means, how the phrase originated, including how it was popularised. Then we’ll discuss the correct way to use the phrase, complete with a few handy examples.

We will then touch on modern contexts for throwing shade before delving into the difference between shade and insults. Finally, we’ll then round off with some alternative words and phrases and related expressions.

Let’s get straight to it.

What does the phrase “throwing shade” mean?

The phrase “throwing shade” refers to publicly, but indirectly, criticizing or expressing contempt for a person, which results in publicly disrespecting or ridiculing a person.

This can often be subtle and can be accomplished verbally or nonverbally, for example through facial expression or body language. It’s often used in situations where someone is trying to appear polite while still conveying disapproval, such as during political campaigns.

The historical origins of the phrase “throwing shade”

The phrase “throwing shade” is relatively recent, dating back to the 1980’s, when it originated in the New York City working class drag and ballroom scene, among the Black and Latino LGBTQ+ community. 

The phrase was popularised following the landmark documentary film “Paris is Burning” that came out in 1990. There, the drag queen Dorian Corey explained “shade” as an indirect insult, essentially criticizing someone without directly saying it. The terms “throw shade” and “throwing shade” are an extended usage of the slang phrase “shade”.

The phrase later appeared in public media sources. This includes the New York Times, in 1993, where it was written: “The Sunday Stylers are the last people I’d expect to throw shade on President Bill’s hair pursuits.”

Then, by February 2017, the Merriam-Webster dictionary had officially acknowledged the phrase “throw shade” as part of the lexicon of American English, thus making it an officially mainstream phrase. Since then, the phrase has been commonly associated with pop culture and social media platforms.

Usage of the phrase “throwing shade” in everyday conversation, with examples

References to throwing shade can be used to describe someone who is subtly or indirectly publicly criticizing or expressing disapproval towards someone.

This often happens when someone is trying to appear as polite as possible while conveying their disapproval, perhaps in an attempt to appear much better than the person they are throwing shade at. This can often be achieved through a seemingly innocent comment, action, or response, such as a telling facial expression. 

You can use the phrases “shade”, “throw shade”, “threw shade” and “throwing shade” in everyday conversation and in memes on social media apps and platforms. Here are a few examples of the phrase in use:

• Did you catch the way he ‘threw shade’ at his ex-partner by posting a picture of him with his new partner?

• When the temp worker subtly mentioned how outdated the office decor was, everyone knew she was ‘throwing shade’ at the facilities manager’s taste.

• The comedian’s jokes were full of ‘shade’ directed at the UK-based Torie party.

• The reality star was accused of ‘throwing shade’ at her competitor by constantly contrasting their lifestyles on social media apps like Instagram and TikTok.

• This time, he wasn’t just “throwing shade”. This time he went straight for the jugular with direct, brazen insults.

How can you tell if someone is throwing shade?

If someone sneers at you, or comments about you or someone else when they are in your earshot (but not obviously so), or appears in the media with a snarky comment, or in some way insinuates your inferiority, from their point of view, then they are throwing shade.

Modern contexts for “throwing shade”

In the Washington Post in November 2016, there was an article titled “Did Michelle Obama throw shade at Hillary Clinton?” in which it was stated that a video was released that gave the impression that the then First Lady Michelle Obama doesn’t trust the former First Lady Hilary Clinton.

This phenomenon is also prevalent in British politics. For instance, among the Conservative Party, Boris Johnson once threw shade at Rishi Sunak following the start of a landslide of resignations. Similarly, the Labour Party leader Kier Starmer once used a heckler to throw shade at the former leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbin.

Differences between shade and insults

The slang term “shade” can be distinguished from “insults” because “shade” is an indirect form of criticism, whereby disapproval is conveyed in a subtle and less obvious way, in contrast to direct insults and name calling. Thus “throwing shade” cannot be described as, or mistaken for “talking trash”.

For this reason, throwing shade is often used in situations where someone is trying to appear as polite as possible, while simultaneously making the other person appear worse, thus improving their own self-image while running someone else down.

Synonyms and related expressions

Here are some words and phrases that can often be used in place of “throwing shade”:

• Dissing
• Belittling
• Ridiculing
• Mocking
• Scoffing
• Teasing
• Talking smack
• Slate
• Deprecate
• Find fault
• Roast
• Slag off
• Chastise
• Pass judgement
• Bad mouth
• Dress down
• Give bad press to
• Pour scorn on
• Denigrate
• Cast aspersions on
• Cut down
• Vilify
• Lay into
• Dis
• Put down
• Trash

Final word

So, to sum up, the phrase “throwing shade” refers to publicly, but indirectly, criticizing or expressing contempt for a person, which results in publicly disrespecting or ridiculing a person.

The phrase dates back to the 1980’s, when it originated in the New York City working class drag and ballroom scene, among the Black and Latino LGBTQ+ community. It was later popularised through the landmark documentary film “Paris is Burning” in 1990. By February 2017, the phrase had been added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary making it an official word of American English.