'Karen Ballsnatcher’ goes viral after woman snatches home run ball from kid: see video inside

Social media has the uncanny ability to turn any video or photo into a viral sensation online, especially when someone gets caught behaving in a way that feels unjust, entitled, or just rude.

Previously, the slang term “Karen” had become popular as a shorthand for a certain kind of public behaviour, and recently, the term came to the limelight once again.

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During Friday’s Phillies vs. Marlins game at LoanDepot Park, an awkward moment in the stands became the internet’s latest viral sensation. A woman, who is now being called the “Karen ballsnatcher,” was filmed aggressively confronting a father who had caught a home run ball and given it to his young son for his birthday.According to Sporting News, the woman said the home run ball had been taken from her. She even grabbed the father’s arm to try and get it back. The crowd didn’t like what they saw and quickly started booing as the whole scene happened.

What does ‘Karen’ mean

The video quickly went viral online, and people quickly started calling the woman a “Karen”, which is a popular internet term used when someone is acting rude, entitled, or overly demanding in public.

Merriam-Webster dictionary explains, “Karen” usually refers to a middle-aged white woman who causes a scene, complains a lot, or acts in a way that’s angry, entitled, or even racist. While this slang originated with that specific image, the term is now sometimes used more generally to describe anyone behaving in a similar manner, especially in public.The video soon turned into meme material and gained traction because it showed a repetitive pattern of behaviour tied to privilege and, in some cases, racial bias.

The label “Karen” even became linked to a specific hairstyle, famously worn by reality TV star Kate Gosselin in the 2010s. Although a male version, “Ken”, has emerged, it hasn’t gained the same viral status.While the term is often used to call out bad behavior, it has also been criticized as sexist or dismissive. But as smartphone cameras and social media continue to capture public reactions and users’ obsession with the trend, the internet shows no sign of letting go of the “Karen” meme anytime soon.