Scrolling in the Deep: I’m gonna hold your hand when I say this…

In today’s edition of Scrolling in the Deep, we tackle a phrase that isn’t quite slang but rather something online users say when they want to be messy without appearing downright mean. Scrolling through Twitter or TikTok, you may notice folks quoting videos or posts with, “I’m gonna hold your hand when I say this…” But what is “this?” Why do you want to hold my hand? And, most importantly, what’s with the ominous ellipses?

A passive-aggressive phrase meant to be advice 

One...