What Does BBIAB Stand For?

Confused by internet slang?

Woman texting
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by Paul Gil
Updated May 06, 2017

BBIAB is an acronym for "be back in a bit." It is another way of saying "AFK," which means "away from keyboard." BBIAB is a common slang expression among online chatters, particularly for people who do real-time text chatting or online gaming.

When to Use BBIAB

This is a polite expression that chatters use to indicate they are moving away from their computers for a few minutes. In the context of a conversation, it is a polite way to say "I won't be responding for a few minutes." In the context of an online game, it is a way of saying "Please wait for me to return before we fight our next monster." BBIAB, and its cousin AFK have become common internet acronyms as more people become regular online conversationalists. 

Examples of BBIAB

  • Gotta break for dinner. BBIAB.
  • I'm going to watch the end of the game on TV. BBIAB.
  • Late for my class! bbiab.

BBIAB Isn't Limited to Live Chats

Although BBIAB is most often used in game chats, it may also appear in other places on the internet, such as in Facebook messages, smartphone text messages, chat rooms, instant messages and any real-time text-based communication. You might see it on Twitter, but usually, its use is limited to real-time messaging.

Digital culture has spilled over into daily life. Some of the expressive internet terms appear in daily conversation. Perhaps the most frequently heard crossover terms are LOL (laughing out loud) and OMG (oh my god). BBIAB hasn't made that transition, probably because it is harder to say the acronym than the full sentence.

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