My sense of it is that most of these are Russian propagandists trying to sow dissent in America, and that's why the popularity of the phrase tends to peak for two months are so and then die off for six months before resurfacing.

You're close. I'm actually a shill for Reynolds Wrap. They want you to think it's Russia so that the surplus tinfoil from the holidays will all sell off. Then they deactivate us until cookout season comes around.

I don't get it. Do Russian propagandists hibernate semiannually?

>> if not offensive.

It is offensive, 100%. It's grouping and stereotyping people based on age, meaning that for example my parents are subject to it, despite growing up in communist Poland and not getting any economic benefits normally attributed to "boomers". At 28, I'm probably 10x "wealthier" than they were at my age, but of course they are "boomers" by age so fuck them for ruining the economy, right?

> but of course they are "boomers" by age so fuck them for ruining the economy, right?

If you're vicariously triggered by the word "boomer", it's because you have this attitude attached to it. As with the other commenter, I can't help you with words you're trying to put in my mouth.

It seems to have gained popularity among younger people as an insult against anyone perceived as older. I'm 39 and have been called a boomer by a teen of about 14 or 15 yo. I guess it morphed into an insult for anyone older than 30 nowadays.

Its a mix of 4chan and reddit memes, plus deliberate attempts by bad actors to provoke intra-cultural conflict to shape consensus and rally people to respective voting blocks.

There are strains of truth there -- life ain't grand for the millennial crowd -- but it's more of a meme than anything, IMO.

Also rather incongruous on HN, since there is a much stronger mid-career / older crowd on HN, aka the Slashdot refugees.

I don't remember Slashdot being quite this salty, but it's been long time. All I said was "Boomer" and suddenly everyone's acting like they just saw the fnords.

Ironic given how baby boomers used the slogan "don't trust anyone over 30" in the 60s.