Are you looking for an appropriate word or term to describe someone who is so high on the 1 to 10 attractiveness scale that a ten just wouldn't be enough to rank them? You could use the text-based abbreviation 'BMS' to voice your opinion and save yourself some typing time. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of the term.
Meaning
The term 'BMS' is a text-based acronym that is used as a shorter way to say “Broke My Scale”, a term which is used to compliment someone on physical attractiveness, style or features.
'BMS' is a term that refers to how you would rate someone on a theoretical “scale of attractiveness”. The idea of the word 'BMS' being used to describe someone is that they are so attractive, that it would simply “break” the attractiveness scale completely.
The term is popular on social media websites like TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, where it is a popular way to compliment physical attractiveness of another user, regardless of their sex or gender.
Sometimes, the term is used in a general sense and does not just refer to physically attractive people, but can also refer to experiences or things.
The term is never used as a plural, though can appear as everything from a hashtag to a comment or status.
Example Usage
“We had such a great vacation in Colorado. You wouldn't think it, but they make some of the greatest waffles that I've ever tasted in my entire life. We all thought the whole experience broke my scale.”
“I don't know how you might feel about the movie GI Jane, but I've always thought that she was gorgeous in that movie. She totally bms when I saw it the first time, especially after she shaved all the hair off her head!”
“I loved Justin Bieber when I saw him the first time, he completely bms. If I were to meet him in person, I just don't know what I would do!”
“Dude, we should hang out at your house more often. You have a really hot mom, and she bms.”
Origin
The exact origin and first use of the term 'BMS' or the expression 'broke my scale' appear to be unknown, though early documentation of the term can be found on the website TripAdvisor a far back as the year 2006.
Further documented uses of the term before the 2010s can be found in Urban Dictionary, where the term 'broke my scale' came into popular use in 2008.
The origin of the term 'scale' refers to the supposed “attractiveness scale” whereby people can be rated between a 1 and 10. This has been a popular expression since at least the 1990s, with references in many movies and shows from the time and after.
The term 'bms' and 'broke my scale' would soon spread to regular use on other social media platforms as a tag, comment and status. Today, the term is extremely popular on websites like TikTok and Instagram after it has experienced a very sudden comeback.
Phrases Similar to BMS
- Heather
Phrases Opposite to BMS
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- Bms
- BMS
- BMS!
Ways People May Say BMS Incorrectly
There are several incorrect ways to use the term 'BMS' on social media.
The term 'BMS' is meant to be used as a text-based acronym that refers to someone's level of attractiveness.
The term 'BMS' doesn't refer to a physical scale, and it should never be used in conversation or on social media to refer to someone's weight in a negative way. This is not only the incorrect use of the term, but also considered extremely offensive.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase BMS
The term 'BMS' is correctly used as an acronym for 'broke my scale' in reference to someone's physical attractiveness or high appeal.