“Want to Netflix and chill?” is a phrase that's well known for its romantic connotations, especially towards the mid-2010s. But, did it start out that way? And, what does it mean to “Netflix and chill” in the 2020s?

Let's explore the changing nature of the phrase “Netflix and chill”.

"Netflix and Chill" Defined

The phrase started in 2009 and meant exactly what it said: to watch Netflix and relax. For its first few years, “Netflix and chill” circulated around Black Twitter and kept this direct definition.

By mid-2014, however, the meaning of “Netflix and chill” had changed. The phrase started to move from a nonsexual meaning to become its most popular definition: to watch Netflix with romantic and/or sexual connotations.

People used this phrase to either set up dates, booty calls, or to simply let someone know that they were interested in them. Sometimes, both parties knew the phrase, but, at this point, most people still understood the literal definition and only found out the romantic aspect once at the other person's place.

The Netflix N on a screen.

This whole idea started to spawn memes about the moment where people realized that to “Netflix and chill” was more than just to watch Netflix and relax together.

The all-new meaning of “Netflix and chill” gained universal popularity from 2015 and companies started to use it as a marketing tool due to its commercial appeal. There'd be events, articles, products, and more all centered around “Netflix and chill”; most teenagers and young adults understood the new, romantic definition of the phrase.

For the next few years, the phrase was at the height of popularity and people enjoyed the romantic, comical, and commercial angles it gave.

Related: Why Netflix Remains the Best Streaming Service in 2021

What “Netflix and Chill” Means in the 2020s

Nowadays, almost everyone knows what “Netflix and chill” and variations of this phrase mean. Because of this, “Netflix and chill” is more dependent on context rather than its literal or slang meaning.

The bait-and-switch aspect of the phrase is now minimal, as most people know the slang definition. Most people usually establish the meaning beforehand when using it or variations of it. For example, you can ask a friend literally or a date romantically.

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While the slang definition is still the primary definition when people say it, the novelty of “Netflix and chill” isn't as present. The phrase is more tongue-in-cheek since the peak of its popularity, which means you can enjoy it in both sexual and nonsexual contexts.

Enjoy "Netflix and Chill", Whoever You're With

“Netflix and chill” rose from an inconspicuous saying to an innuendo by the mid-2010s. Now, in the 2020s, everyone understands the romantic aspect of the phrase, which removes its novelty; you can “Netflix and chill” by yourself, with your friends, or with romantic partners as both the literal and slang definition works, depending on the context.

Netflix has a ton of content, so be sure to enjoy it (or, at least, as best you can) when you “Netflix and chill”, whether by yourself or with others.