Are you looking for bae? This term unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The word ‘bae’ is a term of endearment to your loved one, usually used by women when referring to their partner. The term isn’t gendered specific, but it's more common to hear women using it than men. The term usually refers to a person but can also apply to inanimate objects.
‘Bae’ started as street slang for the word ‘baby.’ However, some think ‘bae’ is an acronym for ‘before anyone else.’ However, there is no evidence to show this is the original use of the word.
Example Usage
"Hey bae, how are you doing? I've been waiting for you to call. What do you want to get up to tonight? I'm free after work at five. Come pick me up and let's go out."
"You're my bae, and I love you. I wouldn't be anywhere in life without you, and I'm yours until the end. Be my bae, and I'll treat you right, I promise."
"C'mon bae, let's go to the movies this evening. It's been forever since we've been out of the house, and I'm starting to feel like part of the furniture around here."
"Hey bae, are you coming to the club tonight? I'm going to be there with the girls for Kimi's birthday party. Come through, and we'll have a good time."
"Let's go to the Bahamas for vacation, bae. We haven't been anywhere in the Bahamas before, and I hear it has some of the best snorkeling in the world."
"He's my bae, and I love him. Even if he does some stupid stuff from time to time. Nobody's perfect, and we have to learn to accept them for who they are, right?"
"I'll just ask bae if he's planning on us going to you for the barbeque this weekend. He hasn't talked about it before, so I don't know what's happening."
Origin
The expression 'bae' originates from street slang in the United States. Specifically, it comes from African-American street culture and is an abbreviation of the word 'baby.' Like 'baby,' 'bae' is a term of endearment used to describe your loved one or partner.
It first appeared in 2005 but had niche use outside of African-American communities. However, the introduction of the expression into R&B and hip-hop tracks and videos in 2013 and 2014 spurred its popularity. As a result, it saw widespread adoption of the term in mainstream media and in all cultures across the US and the UK.
Pharrell Williams used the term for his 2014 track, 'Come Get It, Bae.' The term also won the runner-up award at the Oxford Dictionaries 2014 Word of the Year. Barrett nominated 'bae' for the American Dialect Society's Word of the Year in 2013.
Phrases Similar to Bae
- Babe.
- Baby.
Phrases Opposite to Bae
- N/A.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Bae.
Ways People May Say Bae Incorrectly
Some may assume ‘bae’ refers to the chef media personality, ‘Salt Bae.’ Salt Bae is a male chef from the United States that runs high-end steakhouses in major cities like New York. He’s infamous for charging huge prices for mediocre-quality steaks and his signature move of sprinkling salt down his forearm onto food.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Bae
You can use the expression ‘bae’ as an endearment to your loved one. Typically, women will use it when describing their boyfriend or husband. However, some men may call their girlfriend or wife ‘bae.’ The saying is popular with the younger generation of millennials and Gen Zs and less with Gen Xers and Boomers.
You can use bae in casual conversations with friends or when talking directly with your ‘bae.’ Bae replaces other pet names for your partner, like ‘babe’ and ‘baby.’ You’ll use it when referring to your partner in a positive light, not in a moment of anger or when you’re feeling upset.