BM

What Does BM Mean in a Text?

The Growing Glossary of Dating Slang

If you're new to online dating, then I'm afraid there is whole new language with well over 250 terms for you to learn.

Particularly since the rise of the iKids, people have been far more open about their sexual preferences and desires, and this has generated a long glossary of new dating terms. Many sexual preferences are still abbreviated on dating sites, presumably with the idea that those who do not understand the term do not need to know it. That thinking does not help newcomers though. Here is the term you're looking for:

The abbreviation BM is most often used with the meanings "Black Man," "Baby Mama," and "Bad Mannered."

More Detail...

However, it is also sometimes used to mean "Bowel Movement" and "BMW." Here's a little more about each of these definitions.

Black Man

BM is used on dating sites (such as Craigslist, Tinder, Zoosk and Match.com), with the meaning "Black Man" to indicate that a user is, or is looking to make contact with, a black male.

Baby Mama

BM is also used with the meaning "Baby Mama" (or sometimes "Baby Mother" or "Baby Mummy"), to refer to a woman who is not married to or in a significant relationship with her child's father. (See also BD (Baby Daddy)).

Bad Mannered

BM is also used with the meaning "Bad Mannered." In this context, it is most often used in gaming circles (e.g., on apps such as Discord or Telegram) to complain about a lack of courtesy shown by someone.

Bowel Movement

BM is sometimes used to mean "Bowel Movement." The origins of the use of BM in this context are unclear, but it was popularized in an episode of the animated series Family Guy (series 3, episode 14), in a conversation between father and son, Peter and Chris:

• Chris: "What's a library, dad?"
• Peter: "Oh, it's just a place where homeless people come to shave and go BM."

BMW

BM is also sometimes used as a spoken abbreviation, to refer to the German car maker BMW.

Image for BM

When I write BM, I mean this:

BM also means "Baby Mama," "Bad Mannered," "Bowel Movement," and "BMW."

Summary of Key Points

First Definition for BM

"Black Man" is the most common meaning for BM in a text or on a messaging app (particularly a dating site).

BM
Definition:	Black Man
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults

Second Definition for BM

"Baby Mama" is another common definition for BM.

BM
Definition:	Baby Mama
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Third Definition for BM

"Bad Mannered" is another common definition for BM, especially on gaming apps, such as Discord and Telegram.

BM
Definition:	Bad Mannered
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Fourth Definition for BM

BM also means "Bowel Movement."

BM
Definition:	Bowel Movement
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Fifth Definition for BM

BM also means "BMW."

BM
Definition:	BMW
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	2: Quite easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of BM in Sentences

Here are examples of BM in conversations:

• Gail: So what are you actually looking for?
• Rachel: I'm not fussy really. Any BM with a pulse and over a million dollars in the bank.

(Here, BM means "Black Man.")

• Gary: Why won't she let me see my boy?
• Rose: Because you treat her like she's nothing more than your BM. You have got to give that girl some respect.

(Here, BM means "Baby Mama.")

• Gill: Why did you dash out so quickly? The boss couldn't believe you ran out without saying anything. It seemed very BM.
• Rod: It would have been a lot more BM, if I hadn't got out of there before doing a BM in my trousers!

(Here, BM means both "Bad Mannered" and "Bowel Movement.")

An Academic Look at BM

As it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., "Bee Emm"), BM is classified as an initialism abbreviation. Initialisms are different to acronyms, which are spoken like words.

What Did We Say before Texting and Social Media?

Before the digital era, we would probably have just said "Black Man," "Baby Mama," "Bad Mannered," or "Bowel Movement" instead of using the abbreviation BM.

Example of BM Used in a Text

You might also like...