Let Him Cook – Meaning, Origin & Usage

The phrase “let him cook”, like “let her cook” and “let them cook”, seems to pop up again and again in recent years, especially online. However, the phrase is an idiom and as such has nothing to do with cooking. But worry not, I’m here to explain everything.

In this article, we’ll be exploring what is meant by the phrase, and describing how the phrase originated and became popularised. I’ll then explain how to use the phrase correctly and give you several examples of the phrase in use. Then I’ll cover several popular “let him cook” memes before closing with a section on similar synonymous phrases.

So, without further ado, let’s get down to business.

What does “let him cook” mean?

The phrase “let him cook” simply refers to allowing someone to take their time, and to prepare for what may lie ahead with care, attention and encouragement. It’s about uninterrupted creativity and expression, and it’s an assertion not to interrupt the creative flow. Letting someone “cook” refers to allowing someone to plot, strategise or hone their craft.

The phrase “let someone cook” is most typically used when asserting that rather than interrupt someone with instructions  to follow, it is better to let them find their own way.

Origins of the phrase “let him cook”

The phrase “let him cook” is quite recent, dating back to just 2010, when the phrase was coined by an American (Bay Area) rapper with the stage name Lil B…

Lil B had posted a video on the YouTube platform where he described the concept of letting things cook as a metaphor to refer to taking one’s time with something with care and attention, in an uninterrupted creative process. In the music video for one of his songs, there’s a dance move which mimics the act of cooking. This dance move became associated with the phrase “let him cook,” signifying the act of someone doing their thing and excelling in their craft.

How the phrase “let him cook” went viral

The phrase began gaining traction when the NBA star James Harden began implementing a “cooking” celebration into his basketball games. Lil B wasn’t happy with Harden “stealing“ his cooking dance move.

But the meme stood the test of time and gained even further popularity when it was transformed by the NFL star quarterback Russell Wilson when he moved from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos just before the 2022 NFL season.

The phrase “let him cook” became even more popular when the Australian golfer Min Woo Lee used it in a social media post in 2023. The phrase went viral, and came to be associated with Lee. Lee even started wearing a chef’s hat to show his gratitude to fans who wore “let him cook” t-shirts to his matches.

How to use the phrase “let him cook” correctly

The key to using the phrase “let him cook” correctly, is to ensure that you use the correct pronoun, even if it means changing the wording of the phrase. For example, when referring to a female, instead of saying “let him cook”, you should replace this with “let her cook”.

If, however, you want to say to someone that you’ll let them cook, rather than push or rush them into something, you’d simply say “I’ll let you cook” or “we’ll let you cook”.

Examples of the phrase “let him cook” in use

Here’s some examples of the phrase in use:

• He’ll come along in time, just let him cook
• She’ll be fine, just let her cook.
• They’ll come along just fine, just let them cook for now.
• Don’t bother telling him to do it your way, just let him cook.
• He didn’t do great previously, but just let him cook and he’ll really come along and impress us all.
• She doesn’t listen to any of my advice, so I guess I’ll just let her cook and hope for the best. I should have more faith in her ability and learning.

“Let him cook” memes

There have been many memes around the phrase “let him cook”, including dance moves, sport celebrations, audio, video, and stills. One of the more popular memes features a still from the game Kingdom of Hearts 3, where the character known as Woody (from the film Toy Story) is holding back the character Sora, and saying “Hollup, let him cook”.

Alternative phrases to “let him cook” you can use in its place

If you suspect that the person you are talking to may not be familiar with the idiom “let them cook”, then there are several alternative phrases that you may consider using in its place. Here follows a quick list of options for you:

• Let him/her/them cook
• Let him/her/them stew
• Let him/her/them brew
• Let him/her/them do his/her/their thing
• He’ll/she’ll/they’ll get the hang of it
• Let him/her/them do his thing
• Let him/her/them get into the swing of it

Final word

So, to sum up, the phrase “let him cook” is a relatively recent idiom, and it refers to allowing someone to prepare for what lies ahead. The phrase appears to have originated in 2010, coined by the American (Bay Area) rapper Lil B in a YouTube video. However, it wasn’t until the phrase was used in sports commentary and became a meme on apps like Twitter and TikTok that the phrase was truly popularised.

The correct way to use the phrase “let him cook” is to adapt it to the gender identity of the person/s you are referring to. For example, through using the correct personal pronouns, for example by saying “let her cook” for a female.

If you’re speaking with someone who may not be familiar with Gen Z slang or English idioms, then there are several alternative phrases that you may choose to use in its place if you so wish.