How the slang term 'rizz' became an internet obsession that stumped boomers (and even zoomers)

• The word 'rizz' originated with streamers Kai Cenat, Silky, and Duke Dennis.
• In 2022, the word went viral on TikTok, with many confused about its definition.
• The term has spawned countless explainer articles and an endless sea of memes.

Unspoken rizz. W rizz. The rizzler. Rizzard of Oz. Rizz God. Walt Rizney. Theodore Rizzevelt. 

These are all wordplays on a new slang that first began as a TikTok in-joke before spiraling into an internet-wide fixation. If you're chronically online or under the age of 25, you might know what "rizz" means. But it's a term so niche and siloed in certain streaming circles that even some zoomers are confused why it's suddenly everywhere.

"Rizz" videos on TikTok have been viewed millions of times each.