Title: What does "big knife and small knife" mean? Analysis of the cultural phenomenon behind the hot discussion across the Internet
In the past 10 days, the term "big knife and small knife" has soared in popularity on major social platforms and search engines, triggering extensive discussions among netizens. What exactly does "big knife and small knife" mean? Why did it suddenly become popular? This article will combine hotspot data from the entire network to provide you with an in-depth analysis of this phenomenon.
1. Hot search data statistics (last 10 days)

| platform | Search volume/discussion volume | peak date | Related topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 million+ | 2023-11-15 | #大刀小刀典#, #网黑talk# | |
| Douyin | 8.5 million+ | 2023-11-18 | # workplace大刀小刀#, #couplesecretwords# |
| Baidu Index | Average daily searches: 56,000 | 2023-11-16 | Big knife and small knife meanings and Internet terms |
2. Tracing the meaning of words and multiple interpretations
According to discussions on the entire Internet, there are currently three main explanations for "big knife and small knife":
| Interpreted version | Source | Typical application scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace slang version | Internal chat records of an Internet company exposed | "The leader wields a big knife (strict assessment), while the team leader wields a small knife (daily criticism)" |
| Emotional code version | Short video platform couple jokes | "Use a big knife when you quarrel (cold war), use a small knife when you act coquettishly (little emotions)" |
| Game Terminology Edition | "Genshin Impact" player community | "The five-star weapon is a broadsword, and the four-star weapon is a small knife." |
3. In-depth analysis of cultural phenomena
1.Metaphorical expression of workplace culture: In the "workplace slang" version, the "big knife" symbolizes institutional pressure, and the "small knife" represents daily management methods, reflecting young professionals' playful deconstruction of high-pressure environments.
2.A new type of communication in intimate relationships: The popularity of the emotional version reflects Generation Z’s special sense of humor in using “weapon metaphors” to resolve conflicts. There have been more than 30,000 couple imitation videos on related Douyin topics.
3.The mutational spread of memes: Since this word first appeared on November 10, it has been spread across multiple circles through gaming circles → workplace circles → emotional circles. Each translation has derived new connotations, which is in line with the evolution of contemporary Internet slang.
4. Excerpts from expert opinions
| Interviewed experts | institution | core ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Professor Wang Linguistics | XX University College of Liberal Arts | "This is a typical metaphorical word-making method, using concrete weapons to refer to abstract relationships, which meets the expression needs of young people for innovation and change." |
| Sociologist Li | XX Research Institute | “Behind the popularity of vocabulary, it reflects the social psychological mechanism of contemporary youth using humor to resist pressure.” |
5. Inventory of Derivative Creations
1.Emoticon creation: The WeChat emoticon store has added 12 sets of "big knife and small knife" themed emoticons, and has been downloaded more than 800,000 times.
2.Short video challenge:#大刀小刀综合# has been viewed 420 million times, and the creators perform different scenes by switching costumes.
3.Business leverage cases: A knife brand launched the "Real Big Knife VS Small Knife Test" marketing campaign, and a single video received over 500,000 likes.
Conclusion:The popularity of "Big Knife, Little Knife" is both accidental and inevitable. It accurately captures the power dynamics in multiple relationships in contemporary society. With the emergence of more application scenarios, this vocabulary may continue to evolve and become another iconic Internet cultural symbol by the end of 2023.
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