Sigma
the 'lone-wolf' macho ideal - an independent, self-confident loner (often ironic/meme)
Origin
The term goes back to the Greek letter Σ (sigma) and, in internet meme culture, labels the 'successful loner' who - unlike the 'alpha' - refuses to take part in the social hierarchy at all. It arose from around 2010 in online subcultures around male psychology and self-improvement, but is not a real psychological term - it is a product of meme culture, and critics link it to 'toxic' masculinity. 'Sigma' entered youth slang strongly through the viral 2024 song 'Sigma Boy' by Russian singers Betsy and Masha Yankovskaya and countless TikTok memes.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Examples
Er sitzt in der und ist der Sigma.
He sits alone in the corner, total sigma.