What Is 'BDE' And Why Is Kari Lake Telling Parents To Ask Their Kids About It?

The slang term BDE, or Big Dick Energy to be exact, is a metaphor used to describe a type of calm and understated confidence that is often exuded by a person with a large … well you can infer the rest.

But one does not need to have a huge LEGO Piece 32557 to have "BDE," in fact, one does not even need to be a man to fit the criteria. Big Dick Energy can be a vibe, or even a mindset, that is used to channel confidence that doesn't need to be boisterous or flashy to be acknowledged.

The term BDE is re-entering the cultural conversation after Republican gubernatorial candidate for Arizona, Kari Lake, insisted that Florida Governor DeSantis and former U.S. President Donald Trump have "BDE" in an August 2022 rally. So, let's explain what exactly this whole thing is all about.

Where Does "BDE" Come From?

The term BDE originates from a person commenting on the late chef, author and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain in light of his unfortunate death in 2018. The tweet read, "We're talking about how Anthony Bourdain had Big Dick Energy which is what he would've wanted." The colorful imagery immediately resonated with people who have been trying to find the words to describe this specific kind of swagger, one that is immediately apparent without being, for lack of a better word, cocky.

To add fuel to the flame, Ariana Grande tweeted a TMI response to a fan asking an innocent question about the length of a song named after her then-husband Pete Davidson, saying, "Like… 10 inches? … Oh Fuck …I mean … A lil over a minute." The tweet confirmed what internet users had long suspected after Davidson and Grande's month-long courtship turned into a whirlwind marriage.

BDE Usage In Memes

It is important to note that the term BDE is used with an emphasis on the "E" rather than the "B." One can have a "big dick" but not necessarily ooze BDE. In the same vein, one can have a totally average or even non-existent penis and exude BDE. Perhaps the best way to explain the use of the term "Big Dick Energy" is to point to people that definitely have it.

As one user puts it, Big Dick Energy is the sexual equivalence of "writing a check for 10K knowing you have it in the bank account." However, this should not be misconstrued as BDE being equated with wealth. The essence of Big Dick Energy is an emotional rather than a physical or monetary value. To have BDE is to have a kind of self-assurance that does not require external validation, nor does it require self-aggrandizing behavior.

A common understanding amongst internet users appears to be that any hint of misogyny nulls the capacity for a person to have BDE. Hyper-masculine behaviors that border on toxic are the antithesis of BDE. A person with BDE does not need to perform masculinity to the point of cruelty to showcase his worth as a man — in fact, he does not need to perform at all. To be humble, yet confident, is to embody Big Dick Energy.

Why Is BDE Suddenly Trending Again?

This brings us to Republican candidate for Arizona Governor Kari Lake's usage of the term BDE to describe Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump at a rally in August 2022. She goes on to say, "He has the same BDE we want all our leaders to have."

The question of whether these politicians (or any politicians) have BDE is perhaps one best left unanswered. However, you can use the various examples of BDE activities described above to see if a person fits the public's general consensus on the issue.

Where Can I Use BDE?

You can use the term BDE if you ever want to describe a person or an attribute that fits the aforementioned criteria. If you are looking for a word that encapsulates a person with a quiet, cool confidence that shows rather than tells, that thrives on self-validation and effortlessly influences without wavering themselves, then you should probably say that they have Big Dick Energy.

How do you use "BDE" in a sentence?

• "Did you see how Kyle stared down that kid twice his height? He has such BDE."
• "I didn't know Rihanna is an actual Billionaire, she has such Big Dick Energy."
• "Guys who don't brag about how many people they sleep with totally have BDE."

For the full history of this slang term, be sure to "check out our entry on Big Dick Energy / BDE here for even more information.