Hey friend! Have you noticed the word "bae" popping up everywhere lately? You may have seen it used all over social media, heard friends use it casually in conversation or spotted it on mugs and t-shirts. Clearly bae has become a huge slang term recently, especially among young people communicating online.
But what exactly does bae mean? Where did this trendy word come from? And is it appropriate to use in all situations? Don‘t worry, I‘ve got you covered!
As a tech geek and pop culture nerd, I‘ve done a deep dive on the bae phenomenon. In this guide, we‘ll explore:
- The definition and etymology of bae
- How bae is used in modern slang
- The history and viral spread of the term
- Differences from similar words like "boo"
- Debates over bae‘s appropriateness
- Examples in memes, music and pop culture
- Proper usage tips
Let‘s get into the origin story and usage guide for this fun slang word!
The Meaning and Definition of BAE
So what does bae actually mean? BAE is commonly used as:
- An acronym for "Before Anyone Else"
- A shortened version of "babe" or "baby"
- A slang term of endearment for your significant other, partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, or crush.
It‘s important to note that bae can be used platonically between friends or romantically for a loved one. The context makes clear the exact meaning.
According to Google Trends data, the term started entering the mainstream around 2013, but its origins go back further:
The Origins and History of BAE
While the exact etymology is disputed, bae grew out of similar slang terms as a playful variation. Here are the main theories on where it came from:
Early 2000s hip-hop lyrics: Bae first emerged in rap, R&B and hip-hop music as a shortened form of "baby" or "babe." Songs like "Girl You Know" by Scarface (2002) contain early examples.
Online messaging abbreviations: As texting and instant messaging rose in popularity, shortened terms like bae became widely used to save typing.
Danish word "bæ" meaning poop: While a funny myth, it‘s highly unlikely the Danish word is related to bae‘s slang meaning. This appears to be an internet urban legend.
French word "beau" meaning lover: Beau came to English from French as a romantic term like boyfriend or sweetheart, which aligns with how bae can be used.
No matter its murky origins, bae clearly shares DNA with similar slang terms of endearment like "baby" and "boo." As texting and social media took off in the 2000s and early 2010s, bae emerged as a quick and catchy shorthand version.
How BAE Took Off in Pop Culture
Once bae gained steam online, it rapidly spread through memes, music lyrics and pop culture in the mid-2010s.
– Hashtags and memes: Posts with #Bae became hugely popular on social platforms like Instagram and Twitter, exposing the term to millions. Often these used bae humorously or ironically.
– Song lyrics: Pop stars like Miley Cyrus ("We Can‘t Stop"), Kanye West ("Bound 2") and Drake ("All Me") penned lyrics using bae, further cementing it in pop culture.
– TV/movies: As slang like bae became associated with young people, script writers incorporated it into shows and films like The Mindy Project.
This viral social spread allowed bae to leap from Internet slang into a widely recognized shorthand for romantic partners or admirers. But bae was also spreading to platonic contexts too…
BAE Expands Beyond Romantic Partners
One interesting evolution is how bae has expanded beyond just referring to boyfriends/girlfriends or spouses. In casual online conversations and messaging, bae became a playful nickname used platonically between friends, not just partners.
You‘ll often see it lightly teasing friends e.g. "What‘s up bae!" or "You‘re the best bae." Some even use tongue-in-cheek bae for celebrities, pets, or inanimate objects.
While its original meaning implied romance, bae is now frequently used as a friendly joke or gesture between close pals of any gender. However, bae still carries romantic undertones in flirty contexts.
BAE vs Similar Slang Terms
Bae has become the trendy new iteration of similar slang terms in its evolvement:
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Babe – One of the words bae likely shortened from. Babe has been used as a romantic nickname since the 1500s!
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Baby – Also a centuries old nickname now often shortened to bae, especially online.
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Boo – Originally meaning a boyfriend in French, boo is slang from the 1980s. But it sounds more serious than playful bae.
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Sweety – A classic pet name conveying affection. Less casual than the youthful bae.
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Hermoso/Hermosa – Spanish nicknames for a handsome boyfriend or beautiful girlfriend.
So while bae has relatives in many languages, it carved out a niche as a casual, flirty and irreverent form of endearment.
Appropriate Usage and Avoiding Offense
Since bae is such a casual slang term, it has some rules of etiquette on use:
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Ask permission first – Don‘t call someone bae unless you know they‘re comfortable with the pet name.
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Avoid early dating – Bae may come across too strong early in a courtship before establishing a relationship.
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Watch professional settings – Use common sense and don‘t bust out bae in formal work/education contexts.
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Skew young – Bae is generally associated with millennials and Gen Z rather than middle-aged folks.
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Mind the audience – Be thoughtful not to use cheeky slang with elders or incompatible social groups.
So while bae is now widely recognized slang, think before busting it out in delicate or formal situations. The same etiquette applies to slang terms like bae across languages and cultures.
Criticism and Debates Around BAE
As bae exploded in popularity, it also attracted criticism and debate:
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Too informal? – Some view it as unprofessional, immature or irritating, especially in business settings.
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Creeping cringe? – Overuse of youth slang like bae can feel forced or inappropriate with age.
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Defining the relationship – Using bae too soon may mistakenly imply commitment or exclusivity.
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Gender assumptions – Calling someone bae could presume sexual orientation or gender identity.
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Cultural appropriation? – Bae has African roots but is also considered African American Vernacular English per some linguists.
Like any slang, bae treads a fine line between trendy and cliché. Using your best judgment based on the situation and person makes all the difference.
Examples of BAE in Pop Culture
As bae took off online, plenty of media and merchandise quickly reflected the trend:
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Music lyrics – Songs across genres from rappers Iggy Azalea ("Bounce") to punk band Fall Out Boy ("Thnks fr th Mmrs") name-checked bae.
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Social media – Viral bae memes and hashtags flourished on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
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TV shows – The Mindy Project and Black-ish inserted bae dialogue to seem hip and current.
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Shopping – Bae branded mugs, t-shirts, phone cases and other swag hit stores. Even Burt‘s Bees lip balm spun off a lip tint called BAE.
Clearly the slang term proved marketing gold, with bae mania sweeping pop culture.
In Conclusion: Using BAE Appropriately
In closing friend, I hope this guide gave you plenty of insights into the definition, history and usage of the fun slang word bae! To quickly recap bae:
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Stands for "Before Anyone Else" or originated as a shortened "babe/baby"
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Is slang for a romantic partner, crush or admirer
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Also used platonically between friends as playful banter
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Emerged online and in song lyrics before spreading virally
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Requires good judgment to avoid offending or sounding cliché
Now that you‘re a bae expert, go forth using your new slang knowledge wisely! Just remember context matters, so deploy bae with care based on the situation and recipient.
What do you think – is bae here to stay or just a fleeting trend? Let me know if you have any other bae thoughts or slang terms you want decoded! I had fun geeking out on bae with you.
