bean soup theory
/BEEN soop THEE-uh-ree/noun
Meaning
An informal term for the tendency to respond to a social media post that clearly is not aimed at you by complaining, requesting accommodations, or changing the subject to your own situation. The joke is that someone sees a bean soup recipe and comments, “What if I don’t like beans?”[1][2][3]
- 1. A recurring social media phenomenon in which users assume that every post should apply to their personal tastes, needs, or experiences.
- 2. A self-centered reply that ignores the context or intended audience of a post and redirects attention to the commenter.
- 3. A humorous label for the online expectation that creators should account for every individual preference, exception, or objection.
Examples
“She posted a vegan recipe and the comments became pure bean soup theory.”
“This is a post for runners. Asking for a version with no running is bean soup theory.”
“The video is about one person’s experience, not a universal announcement. Bean soup theory strikes again.”
“Someone said they love pancakes and three people replied about waffles. Bean soup theory.”
“I don't like horror, so I simply did not comment bean soup theory.”
Origin and spread
The expression comes from a 2023 TikTok recipe video by @vibingranolamom, whose bean-heavy soup was presented as a recipe for people seeking more iron. Commenters reportedly asked what they should do if they did not like beans or wanted the beans replaced, creating an absurd example of treating clearly targeted content as a personal inconvenience. The underlying behavior was discussed in 2023, sometimes as “bean soup effect” or “bean soup syndrome,” while the exact phrase “bean soup theory” became more visible in online discussion and reporting by 2025. It is a metaphorical label, not an established scientific theory.[1][3]
How to use it
The term is usually mocking and is aimed at comments that are needlessly self-referential, especially “What about me?” replies under recipes, announcements, advice, or personal stories. Do not use it to dismiss a legitimate accessibility concern, a relevant safety issue, or criticism about discrimination and representation; those may require a real response rather than a scroll-past.
Sources
- 1. InsideHook — What Is the “Bean Soup Theory” on TikTok?Supports: meaning, origin.
- 2. AOL — The 'Bean Soup Theory' Is All Over TikTok. Are You Guilty Of It?Supports: meaning.
- 3. Leslie Venetz — This is the most viral video I've ever had on TikTokSupports: origin, meaning.
