The 'Nervous / Horny / Death Grip' meme is a psychological progression chart often used to describe the trajectory of a person's feelings toward a character, a piece of media, or a specific situation. It illustrates a shift from initial anxiety (Nervous) to attraction (Horny) and finally to a state of intense, unyielding obsession or aggressive fixation (Death Grip). While the origin is rooted in internet slang and fandom subcultures on platforms like Twitter and Tumblr, it evolved into a universal template for highlighting the chaotic 'three states of being' that fans experience when consuming new content. Its popularity stems from its relatable depiction of how casual interest can quickly spiral into an all-consuming, high-intensity fixation.