{"id":3914,"date":"2022-06-29T16:59:13","date_gmt":"2022-06-29T16:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=3914"},"modified":"2022-06-29T16:59:13","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T16:59:13","slug":"bite-me-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/bite-me-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Bite Me \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a short retort to someone that\u2019s teasing you? You can use \u201cbite me<\/em>\u201d to let them know that they should stay away from you. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cbite me<\/em>\u201d is the shorter version of \u201cbite me in the ass<\/em>.\u201d Since many idioms receive abbreviations, it\u2019s not surprising to see that this version is more popular in language than the longer variant.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you say \u201cbite me<\/em>\u201d to someone, you\u2019re using it as a retort to them teasing or insulting you. It\u2019s a way of showing someone that you don\u2019t care what they think about you or what they have to say. \u201cBite me\u201d is a sharper way of telling someone to go away.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cOh Sally, bite me. You have no idea what you\u2019re talking about or what I\u2019m doing with my life. As far as I\u2019m concerned, you don\u2019t even exist. Leave me alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBite me, Barry. You didn\u2019t have to say that in front of everyone. You know I wanted to keep that private. So much for depending on you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told him to bite me. He\u2019s an annoying SOB, and I\u2019m tired of him always pushing people around. I don\u2019t care if I have to see him every morning. I\u2019m going to let him know how I feel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you think you\u2019re going to get me to do that, you can bite me. I\u2019m not putting myself at risk so you can look good in front of your girlfriend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, so you think you can get away with that? Well, bite me. I will make sure that you never work in this town again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBite me, sonny boy. There\u2019s nothing you can do about it. Stand there and wait until we take you to jail.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cbite me\u201d originates from American college campuses in the 1980s. According to the Green\u2019s Dictionary of Slang, \u201cbite me!\u201d has the same meaning as \u201cbite me in the ass.\u201d The dictionary states it labels it an exclamation of a generally dismissive or derogatory nature.<\/p>\n

The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang claims \u201cbite me\u201d is similar to expressions like \u201cgo to hell\u201d or \u201cpiss off\u201d and other vulgar terms.<\/p>\n

The first appearance of \u201cbite my butt\u201d in print was in 1958, and \u201cbite me in the ass\u201d appeared for the first time in writing in 1963.<\/p>\n

The first recorded examples come from the 80s and 90s.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe insult category consisted of \u2026 gaywad, bite me, doofy, dork, mutt\u201d (\u201cWith the Boys,\u201d a 1987 study by sociologist Gary A. Fine.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, bite me!\u201d (from the movie Wayne\u2019s World, written by Mike Myers in 1997).<\/p>\n