ETYMOLOGY
The concept gained traction after psychologist Wu Zhihong's 2016 book 'Giant Baby Country', which controversially claimed '90% Chinese have infantile mentalities'. Netizens reinterpreted this theory into social commentary.
The 2018 'high train seat-stealing incident' became a watershed moment. As video showed a man defiantly occupying someone else's seat, netizens noted his 'baby logic' justification: 'I like this seat so it should be mine'. Comments flooded with 'IRL Giant Baby' labels.
This marked the term's evolution from psychological concept to social critique:
Used against 'moral blackmailers' playing victim cards (2019)Criticizing 'special treatment demands' during COVID quarantine (2020)Describing 'responsibility-dodging coworkers' in office culture (2022+)Typical usage:
That 30-year-old baby still has parents clean up his mess, yet dares to complain about property managers not taking out his trash!The office isn't a daycare. Check your manchild attitude.