What Exactly Does 'Bae' Mean? (2024)

Bae is an acronym that stands for Before Anyone Else.

Sometimes the word "Anyone" can be replaced with "Anything" in this acronym, but in general, it's usually "Anyone" to give reference to an actual person (or at least a living thing, like an animal).

There's also a second, far less popular meaning for it. Apparently, bae translates to "poop" in Danish. This, of course, is irrelevant for most of us who don't speak Danish.

What Exactly Does 'Bae' Mean? (1)

Why People Say 'Bae'

Bae is an acronym that's typically used to refer to:

  • a boyfriend/girlfriend
  • a spouse
  • a lover
  • a crush
  • a child
  • a pet
  • anyone considered to be the most important person in another person's life

The trend is particularly popular with teens and young adults — many of which type the lowercase version ofbaeas aword itself asan alternative tobabe or boo on social media.

How People Use 'Bae'Online (And Offline)

People use bae by replacing someone else's name (or her/him/she/he) with it. Sometimes the word"my" is omitted when referring to a significant other.

For instance, instead of posting a status update that reads: "Hanging out with Sam," or "Hanging out with my boyfriend," you would say, "Hanging out with bae."

What Exactly Does 'Bae' Mean? (2)

Posting bae online or sending it in text messages is one thing, but saying it out loud is quite another. And yes, it has already made its way into everyday language, kind of like how some people say lawl (lol - laugh out loud) or bee-arr-bee (brb - be right back) when having a face-to-face conversation.

You might hearbae pronounced out loud the same way you would say the word bay. It's weird, but it's happening. Many of these online acronyms and abbreviationsarenow officially part of the English language and can be found in the Oxford Dictionary.

Examples of How 'Bae' Is Used

Example 1:
"Waiting for bae to come home so we can catch up on the latest episode of OITNB!"

Example 2:
"Me and bae just set our wedding date! So excited!"

Example 3:
"Just had the best date ever tonight with my bae!"

How It All Started With 'Bae'

According to Know Your Meme, the term bae can be traced to as far back as 2003 from the firstuser-submitted definition for it in the Urban Dictionary. Its exact origin is unknown, butit wasn't until 2011 when someone tweeted thatthe term was anacronym which stoodfor "before anyone else."

Why 'Bae' Is SoPopular Now

If baehas been around for years already, why did we see such a massive surge in its use all over social media and text messaging throughout 2014 and beyond? Unlike other memes that basically go viral overnight, bae took years to grow as a trend before it finally skyrocketed in use. So, why now?

It's not exactly clear, but the slow build-up incuriosity andconfusion overthe term's meaning and pronunciation discussed over social media, which really took offthroughout 2013 and the first half of 2014, seemed to have generatedenough word-of-mouth spread toreach all corners of the social web. Sometimes that's all you need to turn somethinginto a big deal online.

The fact that the web is more social and mobile than ever also has a lot to do with how quickly the bae phenomenon spread. It's been discussed in videos by popular YouTube creators, incorporated into meme photos, captured in text message screenshots and typed into tweets, Facebook statuses, Tumblr posts and more.

'Bae' in Mainstream Media

In July of 2014, popular singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams released a song called"Come Get It Bae." Similar to how Drake's song "The Motto" turned the acronymYOLO (You Only Live Once) into a trendy new term that people started usingeverywhere online, Pharrell's "Come Get It Bae"certainly seemed to really propel the popularity ofbaeacross social media.

Like most memes and trends that go viral, thebaetrend happened very quickly after it was quietlybuilt up for years before gaining enough social media traction to start reaching the masses. And of course, any timean influentialcelebrity has anything to do with the spread ofa potentialnewtrend, virality can take offat an exponential rate. That's just the way it goes sometimes.

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What Exactly Does 'Bae' Mean? (2024)

FAQs

What does bae really stand for? ›

The term originated as an abbreviation of the word baby or babe. It has been suggested that the term originated as an acronym for "before anyone else," but this is unlikely; this false etymology is probably an example of a backronym.

Does bae mean love? ›

/beɪ/ someone you love; a boyfriend or girlfriend: It's bad when bae doesn't reply to your texts. [ as form of address ] Hey, bae.

What's the difference between Babe and bae? ›

“Bae” stands for “before anyone else” whereas “babe” is an affectionate term implying that the person is attractive, or “a babe.” “Babe” tends to be used more between people who are dating because it is so affectionate, but it can also be used with close friends (usually female friends). “Bae” is more general.

What does bae mean translate? ›

Bae Definition : Person's boyfriend or girlfriend (often as a form of address)."I'm going to see my bae" "Bae," Urban Dictionary says, is an acronym that stands for "before anyone else," or a shortened version of baby or babe, another word for sweetie, and, mostly unrelated, poop in Danish.

What does it mean if a guy calls you bae? ›

According to a 2014 Time article, “bae” was first used in the 1500s to reference the sounds sheep make. (You know, like “baaaa?”) Nowadays, when people say the word, they're not typically talking about animal noises. Instead, bae is almost always used as a term of endearment for something or someone.

Why do girls use bae? ›

BAE is an abbreviation for baby or babe. BAE refers to a person's significant other. It can be used as a term or endearment or as an adjective.

Is calling someone bae flirting? ›

How is bae used in real life? While originating in Black slang, bae has become widespread in youth culture, on social media, and in online popular publications as an affectionate way to refer to a significant other, especially a boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, or other romantic partner.

What is bae and boo? ›

On the other hand, "bae" is believed to be an acronym for "Before Anyone Else" or "Before Anything Else," gaining popularity in online and text messaging culture. Like "boo," it denotes a romantic partner or loved one, expressing affection and priority.

Is bae still a thing? ›

Though this word was used in the 1500s to refer to sheep sounds, today bae is used as a term of endearment, often referring to your boyfriend or girlfriend.

What is a boo? ›

Boo is a term of endearment for your significant other.

You'll see it a lot on social media or while texting, since it's easier to type than “boyfriend” or “girlfriend.”

Do people still say "bae"? ›

3. Bae - My bae, your bae, you are bae. Bae is a pretty controversial millennial word that even some millennials hate, but it's still in use. Bae is used to refer to a significant other or good friend to show your infatuation with someone.

Can bae be used for friends? ›

Before Anyone Else (BAE) is a slang term that is used to refer to someone who is very important to you, such as a romantic partner, a close friend, or a family member. It is often used to express affection or admiration for the person in question.

What does the bae system stand for? ›

The name BAE Systems was created in 1999 through the use of the historic acronym for British Aerospace (BAe) combined with the 'Systems' section of partner company Marconi Electronic Systems (Marconi Electronics remains a registered trademark of sectors of that business which were not incorporated under the terms of ...

What does bae mean in poop slang? ›

Urban Slang Dictionary: Online Acronyms, Phrases and Idioms. There's also a second, far less popular meaning for it. Apparently, bae translates to "poop" in Danish. This, of course, is irrelevant for most of us who don't speak Danish.

What does slay mean in bae? ›

As for the slang slay, it's especially found in gay and black female culture. It can be used whenever a person looks self-confidently good, acts in a self-empowered way, or does or achieves something spectacular, especially in the face of some challenge.

What is the meaning of Boo and bae? ›

On the other hand, "bae" is believed to be an acronym for "Before Anyone Else" or "Before Anything Else," gaining popularity in online and text messaging culture. Like "boo," it denotes a romantic partner or loved one, expressing affection and priority.

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