The expressions “throw shade”, “throwing shade”, or simply “shade”, are slang terms for a certain type of insult, often nonverbal. Journalist Anna Holmes called shade “the art of the sidelong insult”. Merriam-Webster defines it as “subtle, sneering expression of contempt for or disgust with someone—sometimes verbal, and sometimes not”
When readers hate the word “slams”, but you still need a word that fits the same role.
“Shades” means protecting something from the sun. Isn’t there a better word that doesn’t mean “protects”? Lol
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throw_shade
Its been used for hundreds of years mate, get with the times.