Empath

Definition:

Someone who claims to possess heightened sensitivity to others' emotions (often used ironically nowadays to refer to someone who wears basic human empathy as a badge of honor)

Context:

Context: The term "empath" originated as a legitimate psychological concept describing individuals with unusually high empathy. It was co-opted into Gen-Z internet culture around 2021 when it became a viral meme format on TikTok & Twitter.

The phrase "me, an empath, sensing that [insert obviously bad thing]" became a template used to humorously mock how some people boast about being an empath as if it were some exclusive power. Today it is mostly used lightly & ironically, often to poke fun at one-self.

Example:

^{(all names & events in the
following scenario have been made
up)}

Julianah: “Did you see Khris broke his leg? I swear my own leg started to hurt for him.”

Anny: “Wowww - you're such an empath.”