What Does Torta Mean on TikTok and Social Media?

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How torta came to be a slangy insult toward women
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Lately, people on TikTok have been using the Spanish slang word torta as a derogatory way to describe large Hispanic women. The term recently started to gain traction online, with some users taking matters into their own hands and reshaping it to be positive. With the recent popularity of this term, it’s been difficult to figure out what it means, especially since the meaning varies across cultures. In this article, we make understanding torta easier by diving into the word’s different meanings, its history, and why it can be offensive.

What is a torta?

In slang terms, a torta is an offensive Spanish word used to describe a larger or overweight woman. Literally, however, a torta is a sandwich made on a crusty bread roll that’s filled with various meats, cheeses, sauces, and veggies.

Section 1 of 6:

What does “torta” mean?

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  1. The term (pronounced TOHR-tah) is popular on TikTok, often being used in a derogatory way. However, some users have reclaimed it and added a positive spin. On June 28, 2024, TikTok user @lovelystarr_ posted a video of herself with the Torta hashtag and the caption reading “Body positivity 🖤💜.” [1]
    • This meaning stems from the torta food, which is a breaded sandwich with various meats, cheeses, sauces, and veggies. [2]
    • Torta directly translates to cake. [3]
    • Torta can be used as a term of affection if you’re with a large woman, but you run the risk of objectifying a woman because of her body type.
    • Torta is also a way to refer to lesbians. This meaning is common in Argentina and is sometimes used in a derogatory way.
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Section 2 of 6:

Is “torta” offensive?

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  1. Depending on the context it’s used in, torta can offend heavyset people, as the term singles them out based on their weight and compares them to a large sandwich. If you decide to use torta as a term of affection or endearment, be very careful. You might end up hurting someone’s feelings.
    • Despite its offensive connotation, some TikTok users have reclaimed the term.
    • On February 5, 2024, user @sandritamrev posted a video saying, “When someone calls you a torta on here like it’s some type of insult, have they ever had one? They’re, like, the best!”
Section 3 of 6:

How People Use “Torta” Online

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  1. Some TikTok users use the phrase in skits to make fun of large women. On May 11, 2024, TikTok user @supreme_mando posted a video with the caption “POV-When she’s a torta. ” In the video, he routinely insulted a woman’s weight by saying things like “Besides eating, what do you like to do for fun?”
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Section 4 of 6:

Origin of Torta as Slang

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  1. Since a torta is a type of sandwich, Mexican Americans have used the term to refer to large women, going back to the ‘90s. In fact, the first recorded use of torta as a slang term was in 1995. [4]
Section 5 of 6:

Other Spanish Slang Terms

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  1. No mames (pronounced no MAH-mays) is a slang term that means “no way” or “you can’t be serious.” This term has a more crude connotation, though, similar to the English phrase “no f—ing way.”
  2. Orale (pronounced OH-rah-lay) is a slang word that is used as a word of affirmation, similar to okay. Its meaning changes based on the context it is used in, but it is mainly used as an informal way to say “okay,” “alright,” “wow,” “come on,” or “hurry up.”
  3. A Fresita (pronounced FREH-see-tah) is a wealthy or superficial teenager, usually a woman. Fresa can also be used in place of fresita
  4. Hyna (pronounced HI-nah) is Mexican-American slang that refers to a good-looking chick or girl. It is often used to refer to someone’s significant other.
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Section 6 of 6:

Other Derogatory TikTok Terms

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  1. Big back is another derogatory term that is used to describe heavier people. It is popular on TikTok, with users using the phrase in moments when someone eats a lot of food, which they would refer to as “big back activities.”
  2. Zesty is used on TikTok to describe someone who is acting feminine. It is often used in a homophobic context, as people use it to make gay men the butt of the joke.
  3. The word bop is a misogynistic term that’s used to refer to a woman that someone deems as promiscuous. The term is often used to slut-shame women.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://harmonytaste.com/what-is-torta-in-spanish-slang/
      2. ↑ https://columbiacommunityconnection.com/the-dalles/las-tortas-from-taqueria-los-hermanos-the-best-tortas-in-hood-river
      3. ↑ https://m.interglot.com/es/en/torta
      4. ↑ https://www.dictionary.com/browse/torta

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