-izzle
suffix/-ˈɪzəl/ · [-ɫ̩]
Etymology
Popularized by rap artist Snoop Dogg, but first put to record by Frankie Smith's 1981 "Double Dutch Bus", from a style of cant (esoteric slang) used by African American pimps and jive hustlers of the 1970s. The “-iz, -izzle, -izzo, -ilz” speak (which also uses an infix -iz-), similar in some ways to Pig Latin, was developed by African Americans around the period of the Harlem Renaissance, with hotspots of the speak in Oakland, New York City, and Philadelphia. It was partially developed as young African American girls improvised chants and nursery rhymes while jumping rope, with the -iz dialect serving to add syllables when necessary to maintain the rhythm. A similar -iz dialect has also been used by carnies (carnival workers).
Morpheme, Slang Forms hip-hop-sounding words, which replaces the word with the first sound of the word followed by -izzle.
African-American Vernacular
- My nizzle, you gon' get hizzle Relax by the kizzle An' go get us a couple hizzles2001, Cypress Hill, Here is Something You Can't Understand:
- A bewigged British judge ruled on Thursday that the lyrics of a rap record urging the listener to “shizzle my nizzle” and referring to a “mish mish man” did not constitute an offense.2004, Hollywood Reporter, British judge: nizzle-shizzling not an offense:
3 more examples
- So don't change the dizzle, turn it up a little / I got a livin' room full of fine dime brizzles2004 September 27, Calvin Broadus [Snoop Dogg], Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, John Guldberg, Tim Stahl, “Drop It Like It's Hot” (track 3), in R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece, performed by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell:
- Snoop Dogg has always had a refreshing take on British culture. When he met Rod Hull and Emu on The Word, for instance, he took exception to the overindulged bird’s lunge at his genitals (or “lizzle at his gizzle”, to use Snoop’s parlance). After a short struggle, the rapper’s foot rested on the bird-handler’s neck. If only Parky had been so proactive.2005 February 15, “Shortcuts”, in The Guardian:
- Hand me my chisel, I got a new commandizzle, for y'all.2012, EpicLLOYD, Nice Peter, Snoop Dogg, “Moses vs Santa Claus”, in Epic Rap Battles of History (Season 2):
- Derived terms
- fo shizzle, wizzle
- Related terms
- pizzle