The Meaning and Origin of 'Rizz' - The Viral Slang Word of 2022

The Meaning and Origin of "Rizz"

If you've been on social media lately, you may have seen the term "rizz" popping up in captions and comments. Often accompanied by hashtags like #rizzma, #rizzup, or #getrizzed, this new slang word has many people curious about its meaning and origins.

"Rizz" is the latest iteration of urban slang referring to having charm, confidence, style, and an attractive swagger. It can be used as a noun or a verb to describe someone who possesses these enviable qualities. Keep reading to learn more about where rizz came from and how it became a viral phenomenon.

The Origins of Rizz

"Rizz" has its roots in AAVE (African American Vernacular English) and Black social media circles. It's generally agreed that "rizz" is derived from the word "rizzle," which was popularized by rapper Snoop Dogg in the early 2000s. Snoop frequently referred to himself and his friends as "rizzle dizzles" in his lyrics and interviews.

The term "rizzle" itself has been traced back to the 1970s, used to mean "style" or "swagger." Over time, it evolved into "rizz" or "rizzla," being used to describe someone who carries themselves with confidence and coolness.

By the 2010s, "rizz" gained traction on Black Twitter and TikTok as a fresh way for young people to compliment each other's personal style and attitude. It was especially bolstered by memes and viral videos showing people dripping in confidence and charisma.

What Does Rizz Mean Today?

In 2022 and 2023, "rizz" exploded into mainstream slang across all social media platforms. So what exactly does it mean to have rizz?

At its core, someone with "rizz" has an attractive and magnetic energy about them. They carry themselves with self-assurance and ooze charm and allure. More specifically, rizz refers to qualities like:

• Having smooth confidence and charisma
• Being fashionable, stylish, and put together
• Having natural magnetism and sex appeal
• Being funny, witty, and personable
• Exuding "cool" vibes and not trying too hard

Rizz is about embracing your inner superstar and showing it on the outside. It's the je ne sais quoi that draws people to you and makes heads turn. Having rizz means you've got that special sauce.

Using Rizz in Conversation

Since it entered the mainstream, "rizz" can now be used in a variety of ways in everyday conversations:

• "He's got rizz for days!" - describing someone oozing with charm and charisma.
• "I'm trying to level up my rizz this year." - wanting to boost your sense of style and confidence
• "She was rizzed up for the party last night." - describing someone looking stylish and put together for an event.
• "He got rizzed by that girl at the bar." - indicating someone got curved, dissed, or rejected by an attractive person.
• "I'm rizzing up for my date tonight." - getting ready to look and feel your most charming and alluring.

It's often used playfully between friends hyping each other up or offering compliments. However, it can also be thrown as shade if someone gets curved - the opposite effect of having rizz.

Rizz on Social Media

If you spend time on TikTok, Twitter, or Instagram, you'll see "rizz" pop up in various hashtags and captions:

• #rizzup - hyping yourself or someone else up, showing confidence
• #rizzma - possessive form meaning one's own rizz or styling on someone
• #getrizzed - either gaining more rizz over time or being curved/rejected
• #rizzreel - showing off your best hair, clothes, and charm in a video

You'll also find people commenting "rizz" or "straight rizz" on pictures and videos where someone is looking particularly cool, charismatic, and put together. It's a way of showing appreciation for their style and confidence.

Level Up Your Rizz

Having rizz is more about attitude and magnetism than physical looks. But there are some ways you can level up your rizz game if you want to embrace the lifestyle:

• Fashion - Develop your own personal style. Wear clothes that make you feel confident and cool.
• Grooming - Take care of your hygiene and personal presentation.
• Personality - Cultivate your charm, humor, and friendly vibes.
• Confidence - Work on your self-assurance and being comfortable in your own skin.
• Swag - Add your own flair and panache to everything you do.

Rizz is also about having talents and skills - whether that's being good at sports, music, dance, or anything that boosts your mojo. Work on improving in your favorite areas.

Rizz Goes Mainstream

As "rizz" was embraced across different online communities, it gained widespread popularity in 2022. Rizz culture blew up thanks to TikTok sounds, memes, viral videos, and general slang usage on all social platforms.

Many pop culture and media outlets began covering the rizz phenomenon as a new marker of coolness and confidence. It became a certified mainstream slang term embraced by Gen Z and young Millennials.

While originating in Black culture, rizz ended up crossing racial boundaries as people of all backgrounds started aspiring to level up their charm and style. Being "rizzed up" became a state of mind for the social media generation.

The Appeal of Rizz

So why did this particular slang word capture the imagination of so many? What explains the appeal and spread of rizz?

For starters, everyone likes the idea of feeling attractive, stylish, and brimming with charisma. Rizz represents confidence goals we all aspire to. Having rizz means you've got the complete package - looks, charm, humor, vibes.

It also empowers people to embrace their individuality and personal flair. Showing your rizz is about expressing your unique sense of style, talents, and swagger.

And because rizz is more attitude than anything else, anyone can achieve it with the right mindset. You just have to let your inner superstar shine through.

Finally, "rizz" perfectly captured the vibe of rising social media culture. Showing rizz is tailor-made for TikTok clips, Instagram outfit pics, Twitter clapbacks - wherever you can exhibit charm and confidence.

So it makes sense why this slang term took off in the 2020s. Rizz lets people show the best version of themselves online and get the respect they deserve.

The Future of Rizz

Like any slang word, the popularity of "rizz" could fade in the coming years. But it also has a chance of sticking around in the long term cultural lexicon.

There are a few factors that give rizz a good chance of having staying power:

• It fills a unique semantic space - there's no other word quite like it
• It's positive and aspirational - people want to embody it
• It's adaptable to different contexts and uses
• It captures a cultural moment and mindset

Only time will tell, but rizz seems poised to rizz up the 2020s and potentially live on as a retro throwback term someday. It certainly has more substance than a fleeting viral meme.

Regardless, expect to keep hearing "rizz" for years to come. It's on track to be this generation's "swag" or "fly" - a slang word that becomes part of the permanent lexicon.

So get out there and embrace your inner rizz! The future belongs to those with the confidence and charm to back it up.

FAQs

What does "rizz" mean?

Rizz refers to having charm, confidence, style, and attractive swagger. Someone with rizz oozes charisma, magnetism, and cool vibes.

Where did the term "rizz" come from?

"Rizz" originated in Black social media circles and AAVE in the early 2010s. It was popularized by rappers like Snoop Dogg as a fresh take on "rizzle," which means style or swagger.

How do you use "rizz" in a sentence?

You can say things like "He got rizz for days," "She's rizzed up tonight," or "I'm trying to level up my rizz game this year." It's used to hype up charm and confidence.

Why did "rizz" go viral?

"Rizz" captured the social media era zeitgeist of wanting confidence, individual style, and aspirational yet attainable swag. Everyone wants a bit of that rizz.

Is rizz just a passing trend?

Rizz has a good chance of sticking around since it fills a unique space in the cultural lexicon. Only time will tell if it joins the permanent slang hall of fame.