BBML

What Does BBML Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

BBML means "Be Back Much Later."

More Observations...

BBML is typically used on instant-messaging platforms (e.g., Skype, gaming chat, chat forums) to mean "Be Back Much Later." It announces that the participant will be away for an extended amount of time. BBML contrasts with BBL ("Be Back Later"), which suggests a break of up to a few hours, and BRB ("Be Right Back"), which is used to announce a brief absence.

Image for BBML

When I write BBML, I mean this:

BBML implies that I won't be back for quite a long time.

Summary of Key Points

"Be Back Much Later" is, by far, the most common meaning for BBML when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

BBML
Definition:	Be Back Much Later
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of BBML in Sentences

Here are examples of BBML in conversations:

• Interviewer: Congratulations, you've been selected for the job.
• Applicant: Great! What's the salary?
• Interviewer: 15K now, increasing to 30K later.
• Applicant: Ok. BBML.

• Tom: I am going to pop to the mall to grab a Pizza. Be right back.
• Sarak: Are you crazy man? It's Thanksgiving. The mall is packed!
• Tom: Well, in that case BBML. Ciao.

An Academic Look at BBML

BBML is an initialism abbreviation. Technically, this means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., Bee Bee Emm Ell), but as this is harder to say than "Be Back Much Later" it is not often uttered using its letters. In other words, the abbreviation BBML is for efficiency in writing and not efficiency in speech.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we would have just said something like "be back soon" or "be back later" instead of using the abbreviation BBML.

Example of BBML Used in a Text

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