Definition of «paws in the chat»

This is a specific directive used primarily in live streaming communities, such as Twitch or Kick, to signal a moment of 'pause' or to highlight something 'sus' or questionable. It is a play on the word 'pause,' which is traditionally used after a statement that could be unintentionally interpreted as homoerotic or suggestive. When a streamer says something awkward, the audience floods the chat with paw emojis or the word 'paws' to acknowledge the slip-up.