{"id":7346,"date":"2022-08-17T18:14:44","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:14:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=7346"},"modified":"2022-08-17T18:14:44","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:14:44","slug":"nbs-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/nbs-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"NBS \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did a friend just text you an incredible story? If they ended it with 'nbs<\/em>,' they're emphasizing it happened, despite it sounding ridiculous.<\/p>\n

This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The abbreviation 'nbs'<\/em> is a text-based acronym meaning 'no bullsh*t.'<\/em> Some people think it's an old acronym originally started by hackers, but there's no evidence to support that claim.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you use 'nbs'<\/em> in a message, you're trying to impress on someone that what you're saying is true, despite it sounding outlandish. It's also a way of saying 'real talk' <\/em>or 'frfr,'<\/em> which are two similar terms.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cListen, guy. I know it sounds crazy, but nbs, I\u2019m giving it to you straight. I couldn\u2019t believe it either, and I\u2019m as shocked as you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNbs, I\u2019m telling you the truth. They have an 80% discount sale at the motorcycle store right now. I got this sweet Arai helmet for next to nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is nbs, I swear. You can ask anyone. They were all there. We all stood around with our jaws on the floor when he stepped to that girl and asked for her number.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no way we\u2019ll make it. I made the same trip last year, and it took us 15 hours, nbs. That means we\u2019re about three hours behind right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Origin<\/h2>\n

The acronym 'nbs' originates from text messaging in the early 2000s. Before the invention of the iPhone, QWERTY keyboards, and predictive text, people would use the number keypad to type out texts. To save time on typing, people would abbreviate common terms. 'ROFL' and 'LOL' are good examples of common phrases that stuck around in the texting vernacular, even after the invention of emojis.<\/p>\n

The first reference to 'bull' to nonsense was in the 17th century. The word 'bullshit' would only appear in British and American slang in 1915. According to lexicographer Eric Partridge, troops from Australia and New Zealand troops brought the saying to the frontlines of battle during WWI.<\/p>\n

Partridge claims British commanding officers would place emphasis on 'bull,' meaning attention to your appearance, even if it reduced combat efficiency during the war. However, it only became a popular term after WWII during the late 1940s and early 1950s.<\/p>\n

Australian and South African slang prefers the 'bulldust' variation of the phrase. The first appearance of 'nbs' in the Urban Dictionary was in July 2004.<\/p>\n