shitstorm
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shitstorm
A sudden and massive wave of public outrage directed at a person or organization, especially on the internet and particularly on social networks.
Nach seiner umstrittenen Äußerung erntete der Politiker einen gewaltigen Shitstorm auf Twitter.
After his controversial remark, the politician received a huge shitstorm on Twitter.
'Shitstorm' is a direct loanword from English and has officially been adopted into the German vocabulary. In German, it is also used as a masculine noun ('der Shitstorm').
Das Unternehmen sah sich einem riesigen Shitstorm gegenüber.
The company faced a huge shitstorm.
The word comes from internet language and is considered colloquial. Despite its vulgar origin, it is now also used in serious media and public discussion to describe the phenomenon.
Die Zeitung berichtete über den Shitstorm gegen den Minister.
The newspaper reported on the shitstorm against the minister.
Common verbs used with 'Shitstorm' are 'einen Shitstorm auslösen' (to trigger a shitstorm), 'ernten' (to reap/receive), or 'kassieren' (to get/be hit with). You can also say 'einem Shitstorm ausgesetzt sein' (to be exposed to a shitstorm).
Mit seiner Aussage hat der Sänger einen Shitstorm ausgelöst.
With his statement, the singer triggered a shitstorm.
controversy
'die Kontroverse' and 'der Shitstorm' can both describe a public reaction to a topic. The difference is mainly in form and speed. A controversy is a longer public dispute with opposing opinions. A shitstorm is a sudden, very strong wave of criticism, usually on the internet and often directed at a specific person or organization. They can be confused because a shitstorm can be part of a controversy. But not every controversy is a shitstorm: a controversy can be more factual and last longer, while a shitstorm is fast, massive, and shaped by online reactions.
Nach ihrem Kommentar bekam die Firma in den sozialen Netzwerken einen Shitstorm.
After her comment, the company received a shitstorm on social media.
Vor der Reise liest er einen Artikel über die Kontroverse um das neue Museum.
Before the trip, he reads an article about the controversy surrounding the new museum.