ETYMOLOGY

The saga of “cǎi hóng pì” (rainbow fart) is like a glitter-bombed love letter to China’s internet fan culture. Its roots go back to the early 2010s, when Weibo was turning fandom into a full-on lifestyle. Fans, hyping their idols, started cranking out flowery praise—like calling teen heartthrobs TFBOYS “living artworks” or “earthly angels.” The term “rainbow fart” supposedly popped up around 2015 in fan circles, maybe from someone joking that their over-the-top compliments were as dazzling as a rainbow (and as fleeting as a “fart”). The self-aware silliness clicked, and it spread like confetti.

The term exploded during the 2017 idol survival show craze. Programs like Idol Producer and Produce 101 had fans battling to boost their faves, unleashing a tsunami of “rainbow farts.” Weibo posts gushed, “My idol’s performance dims rainbows, and the cosmos cheers!” These cosmic-level compliments didn’t just hype idols—they made “rainbow fart” a fan-circle staple. Xiaohongshu and Douyin fueled the fire, with influencers dropping “how to craft elite rainbow farts” guides, like “use metaphors for talent, parallelism for looks.” By 2018, fans of one show organized a “rainbow fart relay,” chaining thousands of praise comments in a viral stunt that screamed “stan dedication.”

By 2019, cǎi hóng pì broke free from fandoms, seeping into everyday life. Friends hyped each other, coworkers flattered bosses, and marketers spun ad copy with “rainbow fart” flair. Zhihu threads offered tips on “tasteful rainbow farts” (read: don’t sound too desperate). During pandemic lockdowns, it thrived in “compliment groups,” where netizens traded lines like, “Your quarantine cooking? A rainbow fart miracle!” Its humor spawned twists like “reverse rainbow farts” (fake praise with shade), e.g., “Your slide deck’s so bold, rainbows would quit in shame.” It was peak internet—witty, performative, and just a little unhinged.

Why’s cǎi hóng pì a phenomenon? It’s tailor-made for fan culture’s need to scream adoration, wrapped in humor that keeps it light. It thrives on social media’s stage, where everyone’s itching to flex their wit. Its self-deprecating edge means even the wildest praise doesn’t feel too serious. Critics grumble it fuels “fake vibes,” especially in workplaces or ads, where it can feel slick. But fans see it as a harmless joy-sparker, adding sparkle to dull days. For Westerners, it’s like stan Twitter’s “my fave cured world hunger” hyperbole or Reddit’s sarcastic “take my upvote and my soul.” As long as people love hyping their heroes, cǎi hóng pì will keep raining color!

Example Sentences:

“My idol’s stage slays so hard, rainbow farts can’t keep up—the moon’s in love!”

“Girl, your outfit’s so fire, rainbows are out here feeling unemployed!”