If you’ve been scrolling through social media feeds like Instagram or catching up on celebrity news, the term “zaddy” might have popped up. It’s a word that’s gained traction in online conversations, but what exactly does it mean to call someone a “zaddy”?
The tough-talking, rap-centric Side A toggles between the icy, anxious mood of 2015’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late and the rich production of 2013’s Nothing Was the Same; the sung tracks on Side B reach all the way back to the moody, nocturnal Take Care, though he sounds less like a lonely sophomore than a zaddy whose heart hasn’t totally frozen over. — Jamieson Cox, Pitchfork, 2 July 2018
A person using binoculars, symbolizing the subjective nature of identifying a 'zaddy' as being in the eye of the beholder.
Defining “zaddy” isn’t an exact science; it’s often said that whether someone is a zaddy is “in the eye of the beholder.” However, to get a better understanding of the zaddy definition, let’s look at how others have described it.
According to Clover Hope writing for Jezebel in 2017, “A zaddy is a guy you look at and think, zamn, zaddy… Immediately, you know in your heart who’s not a zaddy. It’s an instinctual response that’s not worth explaining in depth because you’re supposed to just feel it. The subject is not merely conventionally “hot”—he’s a zaddy. In other words, there’s an inner zaddiness. (The Rock is nice and built, but not a zaddy in my eyes. Neither is Nicholas Cage.)” This definition highlights the subjective and almost visceral nature of identifying a zaddy. It’s more than just being attractive; it’s a certain je ne sais quoi.
Justin Kirkland from Esquire offered a slightly different perspective in 2018, stating, “While a daddy is an attractive older man, a zaddy is a man “with swag” who is attractive and also fashionable. It appears that it has less to do with age. Zayn Malik, previously of One Direction, is a popular zaddy. Ryan Reynolds is also likely a zaddy.” Kirkland’s definition brings in the elements of “swag” and fashion, suggesting that a zaddy possesses a certain style and confidence that goes beyond mere attractiveness. The examples of Zayn Malik and Ryan Reynolds further illustrate that age isn’t the defining factor; it’s more about an overall vibe.
The term “zaddy” clearly echoes the word “daddy,” and even “granddaddy,” which can denote something that is the first or most venerable of its kind. While “daddy” in slang can refer to an attractive older man, “zaddy” doesn’t necessarily carry the “older” connotation. In fact, many figures labeled as zaddies are not necessarily older men, nor are they always fathers. Celebrities frequently mentioned in “zaddy” contexts include actors like Chris Pine, Idris Elba, and Jon Hamm.
The “daddy” that “zaddy” alludes to is likely less about the literal father figure and more about the connotations of terms like “sugar daddy.” A zaddy seems to embody a combination of good looks, self-assurance, and charm, much like the implied allure of a sugar daddy, but without the explicit financial arrangement. It’s about a certain magnetic appeal and presence.
The rise of “zaddy” in popular lexicon might be linked to Ty Dolla $ign’s song ‘Zaddy,’ released in August 2016. The lyrics of the song itself touch upon themes sometimes associated with the zaddy persona, such as wealth and attracting attention: “She love to go shoppin’ in Paris / She keep on callin’ me zaddy … she got zaddy runnin’ up a budget on her.”
However, earlier usage of “zaddy” can be traced back to January 2016, when Blac Chyna used it in an Instagram caption. Following an arrest, she posted a meme with #FreeChyna and captioned it, “When Zaddy holds u down no matter what.” The Mirror (UK) reported on this post, clarifying that “Zaddy is a slang term for an attractive man,” suggesting the term was already in circulation and understood as such.
Interestingly, there’s a potential, though likely indirect, link to the Yiddish word “zayde” (or zaide, zaydee, zaydeh), meaning “grandfather.” While it’s unlikely to be a direct origin, it’s a curious echo in sound and adds a layer of possible, albeit tenuous, etymological depth.
In conclusion, What Is A Zaddy? A zaddy is definitively someone who is attractive and stylish, possessing an undeniable “swag.” Whether the term will have lasting power and become a permanent fixture in the English language, or if it’s a fleeting slang term, remains to be seen. For now, understanding “zaddy” means recognizing a certain type of appealing, confident, and fashionable individual, often seen in the realm of celebrities and popular culture.
