grindset

Grindset, a blend of “grind” and “mindset,” is an attitude that glorifies nonstop work, self-discipline and hustling for success. Today it’s mostly used to mock that attitude, especially in the meme phrase “sigma male grindset.”

What grindset means

Someone with a grindset wakes at 4 a.m., works out, works all day, skips parties and treats rest as weakness. Taken seriously, it’s the hustle-culture philosophy pushed by some influencers. Taken as a joke, which is how most people use it, it pokes fun at that philosophy’s extremes.

“Sigma male grindset”

Merriam-Webster describes the “sigma grindset” as a mindset glamorising overwork, fitness and nonconformism as the height of masculinity, and links it to the character Patrick Bateman from American Psycho. Memes in this style pair ridiculous “rules,” like “never celebrate your birthday, it’s just a reminder you’re closer to death,” with dramatic music and stock footage. See sigma.

Examples

• “Skipped lunch to answer emails. Grindset.” (ironic)
• “His whole personality is the grindset.”
• “Sigma grindset rule #47: sleep is for the weak.”
• “I tried the grindset for a week and just got sick.”

Where grindset comes from

The first use of “grindset” isn’t documented. It grew out of hustle-culture content online and took off as a meme around 2021, when “sigma male” jokes went viral after a tweet that January, according to Wikipedia. Know Your Meme says “sigma male grindset” memes became especially popular by mid-2021.

Related terms

• Sigma: a lone-wolf type, or simply “cool.”
• Side hustle: paid work on top of your main job.
• Quiet quitting: the opposite attitude.
• Antiwork: an online movement criticising work culture.

More workplace terms in our work and money slang guide.