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Gaming

cooking

What does cooking mean?

Playing at a high level offensively, scoring easily as if there's nothing the defense can do.

"Let him keep cooking, he's got 25 already."

Origin

AAVE expression for excelling, applied across basketball, gaming, and music. 'Let him cook' became a viral encouragement phrase in the late 2010s and early 2020s.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'cooking' mean in basketball?
It means dominating a defender, scoring on them over and over with ease. You're cooking them like a meal.
What does 'let him cook' mean?
It means give someone the freedom to do their thing because they're performing well. Don't interrupt a hot streak.
Is 'cooking' only used in sports?
No, it's used across gaming, music, and everyday life for anyone who's excelling or in a strong groove.
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.