Bae
what it means
Now firmly dated. Using "bae" sincerely in 2026 signals a particular era, and it's mostly used ironically or about food.
A term of endearment for a partner — sometimes backronymed as "before anyone else".
the origin story
AAVE, likely a shortening of "babe" or "baby"; the backronym is a later folk etymology. Peaked in mainstream use around 2014.
It was one of the most-covered slang terms of 2014, appearing in brand marketing within months — the standard sign a term is finished. The "before anyone else" explanation is a retrofit, not an origin, though it's repeated constantly.
in the wild
Posted a photo of a pizza captioned "bae".
Very 2015 of you.
Doesn't it stand for before anyone else?
No. That was invented afterwards.
how to use it
- Ironic or nostalgic use
- Discussing 2010s slang history
- Jokingly about food and objects
- Sincerely, if you want to sound current
- Professionally
- Repeating the backronym as fact
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