Written by Joshua Sosin

Have you ever heard someone say, "420, blaze it?" before lighting up a joint or taking a hit from a bong? It's a common phrase in cannabis culture, but few people know the story behind it.

In this post, we'll walk you through the origins of "420, blaze it" so that you can add the term to your stoner slang vocabulary.

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The Origins of "420, Blaze It"

"Blaze it" dates back to the early days of recreational cannabis use. Since blaze is a common term for a fire, it quickly became slang for the act of lighting up a joint and enjoying a nice toke. This part of the phrase really doesn't need much explanation — and we'll spare you the etymology lesson.

What you really need to know is the background behind the use of "420" in stoner culture.

The 420 Story

420 has legendary status in cannabis culture, as it's often said as the precursor to the action of lighting up a joint or bowl. There's a reason for this.

Back in the day — the 1970s, to be more specific — a group of high schoolers who called themselves "The Waldos" would get together to smoke cannabis at 4:20 P.M. The used "420" as a coded invitation to come join the group smoking sessions.

Keep in mind that we don't endorse underage cannabis consumption by any means — don't use weed until you're at least the legal age of 21. Now, let's move on.

The "420" code word spread like wildfire, and soon it was being used outside of the context of a California high school. Eventually, the legendary psych-rock band The Grateful Dead took notice, and their fan base started using it regularly.

How "420, Blaze It" Became a Meme

Decades later, "420, blaze it" became a staple in meme culture online. This broke the phrase out of stoner circles and made it a viral phenomenon.

Folks started ironically using "420, blaze it" as an absurd tagline on websites like Reddit, YouTube, and Twitter. The phrase was often paired with GIFs of iconic rapper Snoop Dogg smoking a blunt, along with a chaotic slew of other images and animations in what went on to be called "MLG humor," shorthand for Major League Gaming.

The gaming community is responsible for creating the biggest spin-off of 420, blaze it: "420, blaze it, no scope." This goofy phrase is a reference to trick shots in first-person shooters, and it was often at the crux of many memes from the 2010s. You may have even seen it in an absurd GIF that showed up in your work email inbox back in the day.

Should You Say "420, Blaze It?"

Overall, "420, blaze it" is a bit of an outdated phrase. It was mostly used in the 2010s — especially in the context of gaming-related memes. However, if you're making a nostalgic joke reminiscent of the good old days of MLG humor, go for it.

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