Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 21:22     Subject: Re:What does “too precious” mean?
Anonymous wrote:It depends; we need the context. I think of it in 2 different ways.

Person A: I hand-write all my thank-you notes on vintage stationery using a fountain pen. It just feels more authentic.
Person B (dry tone, eyebrow raised): Too precious.
Basically meaning you’re trying way too hard to be special, and it’s cringe.

Person A: My daughter insisted on wearing fairy wings to her first day of preschool and told everyone she was there to spread magic.
Person B (grinning, hand on heart): Too precious.
Means adorable beyond words, still the same phrase, but the tone is affectionate instead of snarky.


Well, you have lost most DCUM readers. They have trouble with context.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 21:00     Subject: What does “too precious” mean?
When I was in my early 20s, I did things like drinking raspberry liqueur out of a thimbleberry while wearing a medieval dress that I'd designed and made. I also had a unicorn stick horse, same. You can't get much more precious than that! Fortunately, I lived by myself in the woods, so not many people were subjected to my preciousness.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 20:55     Subject: Re:What does “too precious” mean?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It depends; we need the context. I think of it in 2 different ways.

Person A: I hand-write all my thank-you notes on vintage stationery using a fountain pen. It just feels more authentic.
Person B (dry tone, eyebrow raised): Too precious.
Basically meaning you’re trying way too hard to be special, and it’s cringe.

Person A: My daughter insisted on wearing fairy wings to her first day of preschool and told everyone she was there to spread magic.
Person B (grinning, hand on heart): Too precious.
Means adorable beyond words, still the same phrase, but the tone is affectionate instead of snarky.


Bolded, probably a touch of A too. Your kid did not do anything original or that cute. And she "insisted" means you didn't really care, thought she was too precious, or don't parent.
Oh, for sure, but I know someone who would absolutely think this was the most precious thing in the world (no sarcasm). But yes, sometimes it could be a combo of both A and B.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 20:35     Subject: Re:What does “too precious” mean?
Anonymous wrote:It depends; we need the context. I think of it in 2 different ways.

Person A: I hand-write all my thank-you notes on vintage stationery using a fountain pen. It just feels more authentic.
Person B (dry tone, eyebrow raised): Too precious.
Basically meaning you’re trying way too hard to be special, and it’s cringe.

Person A: My daughter insisted on wearing fairy wings to her first day of preschool and told everyone she was there to spread magic.
Person B (grinning, hand on heart): Too precious.
Means adorable beyond words, still the same phrase, but the tone is affectionate instead of snarky.


I read it in the celebrity news today. If I mention the name it’ll derail the thread. I don’t watch TikTok and I know certain words take on new meanings with the younger generations that confuse us old millennials. When I hear “precious” I think of the second example, as in a kid being cute. But it’s used negatively and I didn’t really get it.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 20:30     Subject: Re:What does “too precious” mean?
Anonymous wrote:It depends; we need the context. I think of it in 2 different ways.

Person A: I hand-write all my thank-you notes on vintage stationery using a fountain pen. It just feels more authentic.
Person B (dry tone, eyebrow raised): Too precious.
Basically meaning you’re trying way too hard to be special, and it’s cringe.

Person A: My daughter insisted on wearing fairy wings to her first day of preschool and told everyone she was there to spread magic.
Person B (grinning, hand on heart): Too precious.
Means adorable beyond words, still the same phrase, but the tone is affectionate instead of snarky.


Bolded, probably a touch of A too. Your kid did not do anything original or that cute. And she "insisted" means you didn't really care, thought she was too precious, or don't parent.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 20:23     Subject: Re:What does “too precious” mean?
It depends; we need the context. I think of it in 2 different ways.

Person A: I hand-write all my thank-you notes on vintage stationery using a fountain pen. It just feels more authentic.
Person B (dry tone, eyebrow raised): Too precious.
Basically meaning you’re trying way too hard to be special, and it’s cringe.

Person A: My daughter insisted on wearing fairy wings to her first day of preschool and told everyone she was there to spread magic.
Person B (grinning, hand on heart): Too precious.
Means adorable beyond words, still the same phrase, but the tone is affectionate instead of snarky.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 20:17     Subject: What does “too precious” mean?
Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard people complain about other people being too precious. I don’t think I get the current tone of the word and how it’s used negatively. Examples please?


Dumb people not using the phrase correctly and trying to create a new meaning. That's all.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 20:16     Subject: What does “too precious” mean?
I think of it as someone who is too sensitive, easily offended.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 20:14     Subject: What does “too precious” mean?
Acting like a toddler
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 20:11     Subject: What does “too precious” mean?
Its like they're trying too hard to act sweet or demure and its not authentic.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 20:01     Subject: What does “too precious” mean?
You won’t go out for a walk or a coffee or school drop-off without makeup; too precious.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 19:59     Subject: What does “too precious” mean?
Need more context there are multiple ways to interpret this both positive and negative.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 19:59     Subject: What does “too precious” mean?
Sickly sweet.
False.
See also: bathos.
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 19:58     Subject: What does “too precious” mean?
High-maintenance, fussy
Anonymous
Post 06/03/2025 19:57     Subject: What does “too precious” mean?
I’ve heard people complain about other people being too precious. I don’t think I get the current tone of the word and how it’s used negatively. Examples please?