What Does 'Zaza' Mean? The Slang Term Explained (2024)

Through a combination of hip-hop lyrics and memetic irony, the slang term 'Zaza' and its nicknames "Za" and "Zaza Waza" have infiltrated internet culture in a crazy way this year. You don’t have to be a stoner to know what "smoking Zaza" means. Ultimately, it’s an abbreviation for “exotic” marijuana or weed strains.

Zaza memes are everywhere nowadays. Everyone seems to know that feeling when you outside and you smell that Zaza, but, nobody seems to know where the word "Zaza" comes from.

Its origin is traceable through social media and pop culture, but it takes some digging to really find the creator. That's why we've done all the heavy lifting for you. Let's explain.

Where Did "Zaza" Come From?

The word "Zaza" was first used in 2019 as an abbreviation for the word "exotic." This was in reference to rare, dispensary-grade strains of marijuana that were being exported from California and Colorado to the American east coast. "Zaza" therefore started on the east coast, but more specifically, within the city of Atlanta, Georgia.

The person who's likened as the creator of the word "Zaza" is Edgewood, Atlanta rapper Ola Runt, who in mid-2019 was selling Runtz and Cookies brand weed and making rap songs about it. This was alongside YSL rappers like Lil Keed. In fact, the first mention online of the word "Zaza" was in an Ola Runt tweet posted on June 22nd, 2019, that attached a screenshot of Lil Keed's Instagram Story.

Ola Runt would later go on to tweet, "EXOTIC WEED= ZAZA" and in February 2020, he uploaded the music video for his song "1500 Block" on Youtube, where at the 00:49-minute mark he raps, "I'm smokin' on zaza, that s--- be sativic." This is the first known use of the word in a rap song.

"Zaza" Usage In Memes

Memes about Zaza started to appear en masse during the beginning of 2020. Rappers like Money Man, 21 Savage and Trippie Redd, among others, popularized the term at the beginning of the year. However, none of these rappers popularized "Zaza" that year more than the perceivably stingy weed dealers of summer 2020.

Many memes started to surface early on that cracked jokes about dealers calling every strain "Zaza" and up-charging their customers ten-fold because of its alleged exoticness. Funny tweets and skit videos on TikTok started infiltrating the mainstream, later leading to ironic "Zaza" memes throughout the 2020s.

These folks in Atlanta are driving me nuts! 😒 gtfoh #robots pic.twitter.com/CkUZUbraBw

— iG: Lantbo (PhillnMyself) July 2, 2020

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/6993847130595085573
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7020180334088031494

What Does "When You Go Outside And Smell That Zaza" Mean?

This ironic catchphrase emerged in early 2021. It's about the cliché of walking outside and immediately being hit with the smell of weed. As the controlled substance has become less controlled in recent years, the smell of "Zaza" is more commonly everywhere.

The phrase was first used in a totally serious manner on Instragam via a page called @funnyhoodvidz. They used Bruce the shark from Finding Nemo to convey mischievous delight at smelling the "Za." From there, it was re-edited and adopted by ironic meme creators who thought the "Hood" page's sentiment was wildly unfunny.

What Does "Blowing Bubbles, Blowing Zaza" Mean?

In 2022, TikTokers became familiar with a catchy sound that said "Blowing Bubbles, Blowing Zaza" in the most ridiculous voice possible. This was all synced up to the beat of Tay K's "The Race." The audio was used in subsequent videos, lip-dubbing its most egregious parts, like when the mystery rapper states, "Goo Goo, Goo Gaga."

The mastermind behind the TikTok song is no longer a mystery. His name is Ticklemytip, also known as the voice behind many Quandale Dingle memes. His "The Race" remix called the Quandale 'Dingle Race Freestyle' is the song that raps the notorious "Blowing Bubbles, Blowing Zaza" bar.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7095508874173615402
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7103105485297175854
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7101390885220371717

Where Can I Use "Zaza?"

The use of "Zaza" is limitless nowadays. Its notoriety and mainstream awareness has become so potent and loud (no pun intended) that one can pretty much refer to anything as "Zaza" and expect laughter. It's one of those "Zoomer Slang" terms like 'On God' or 'Fr Fr' that's an early symptom of Zoomerification, only able to be treated The Ocky Way.

Maybe stick to using "Zaza" for weed, or better yet, only call actually exotic weed strains "Zaza Waza." The world has enough misinformation. There's no need to spread more of it.

How can I use "Zaza" in a sentence?

  • "I need some zaza tonight and it needs to be loud."
  • "That zaza you gave me was not loud at all."
  • "Why are you calling all of your weed zaza? It's not."

For the full history of "Zaza," be sure to check out our entry on the slang term here for even more information.

What Does 'Zaza' Mean? The Slang Term Explained (2024)

FAQs

What Does 'Zaza' Mean? The Slang Term Explained? ›

Zaza, a popular slang term in the cannabis community, refers to high-grade, exotic cannabis strains that are often more expensive and potent than regular weed. The term “zaza” is derived from the word “exotic,” emphasizing the rare and sought-after nature of these premium strains.

What does the slang term Zaza mean? ›

The slang term "Za" and "Zaza" (something spelled Za Za) is an noun, which is used in rap music and culture to reference weed. Za means exotic weed. Zaza means exotic weed. The term “Za” or "Zaza" has been used by Lil Keed, Trippie Redd, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Zay Osama, and many more rappers.

Why is Zaza called Zaza? ›

The word zaza is derived directly from "exotic," which highlights that it's extremely rare and expensive flower. Exotic was shortened into "za-tic" which eventually was shortened to "za," after which it transformed into "zaza!"

What is the slang term Zaaa? ›

What does za mean? Za, or sometimes zaza, is drug slang for marijuana.

What is Zaza in English? ›

A slang term for cannabis (marijuana and hashish), a psychoactive drug.

Is Zaza a cuss word? ›

"Za" (or "Zaza" in other cases) is slang for marijuana.

What does Zaza boy mean? ›

In Biblical Baby Names the meaning of the name Zaza is: Belonging to all.

What is real Zaza? ›

ZaZa is a hybrid marijuana strain. We're still learning about the flavors and effects of ZaZa. If you've smoked this strain before, share your experience by leaving a review. ZaZa is a hybrid marijuana strain.

Where do Zaza people come from? ›

The Zazas (also known as Zazaki or Dimili) are an Iranian people in eastern Turkey who traditionally speak the Zaza language, a western Iranian language written in the Latin script. Their homeland is made of Tunceli and Bingöl provinces and parts of Elazığ, Erzincan and Diyarbakır provinces.

Who created the term Zaza? ›

zaza 101: • “exotic” shortened to “za-tic” • cut down to “za” • doubled up to “zaza" And voila. credits its origin to Atlanta rappers Ola Runt and Lil Keed, who coined in mid-2019. From there, it quickly made its way into rap / internet / meme culture and spread on social media.

What does ZZ mean in texting? ›

People often use ZZZ in texts and other messages to indicate either that they are about to go to sleep or to joke that they have been put to sleep by someone or something very boring (such as a book in which someone describes the sound of insects).

What does ZOL mean slang? ›

a cigarette, especially of cannabis, that is rolled by hand.

What is Zaza a nickname for? ›

Zaza Origin and Meaning

Zaza could be used as a nickname for almost any name with the "za" cluster, including Elizabeth and Esperanza.

What exactly is Zaza? ›

Widely known as “Zaza” and “gas station heroin,” tianeptine is an atypical tricyclic antidepressant drug that is sold as a dietary supplement in many U.S. states. The drug is referred to as “gas station heroin” because it produces opioid-like side effects and is available at many gas stations and smoke shops.

What is Zaza slang for drugs? ›

Zaza, a popular slang term in the cannabis community, refers to high-grade, exotic cannabis strains that are often more expensive and potent than regular weed.

What does Zaza mean in the Bible? ›

The name Zaza is a Biblical baby name. In the Bible the meaning of the name Zaza is: Belonging to all. In Hebrew the meaning of the name “Zaza” is: “Movement; Light”.

Why do people smoke Zaza? ›

People who misuse Zaza may do so for its euphoric, opioid-like side effects, including relaxation, sedation, and respiratory depression. Public health officials have warned that the drug has been associated with several negative side effects, including: Drowsiness. Dizziness.

What does the pronoun Zaza mean? ›

Zaza; queer, based on mama and papa/dada. Zither; queer, based on mother and father.

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