SSB

What Does SSB Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

SSB means "Send Snap Back," "Secret Single Behavior," and "Super Smash Bros."

Send Snap Back

On the popular messaging app Snapchat, SSB means "Send Snap Back." It is an extension of the abbreviation SB (meaning "snapback") and is used when the poster wants another user to respond to a their "snap" (message).

Secret Single Behavior

The phrase "Secret Single Behavior" (SSB) was coined on the TV series Sex and the City. It refers to the type of activity that a person engages in when alone, especially when not in a romantic relationship. For example:

Toni: What's your SSB?
Jo: If I told you that, it wouldn't be an SSB.
Toni: Oh, go on! Mine is eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's, whilst watching Sex and the City, wearing nothing but my...
Jo: Stop! That's not your SSB. Everyone knows you do that.

Super Smash Bros

In a gaming context, SSB means "Super Smash Bros.", a fighting game series published by Nintendo. The original SSB was released in 1999, and a fifth installment, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, was released in 2018.

Image for SSB

When I write SSB, I mean this:

SSB has a number of meanings, depending on context.

Summary of Key Points for the First Definition

"Send Snap Back" is the most common definition for SSB on Snapchat.

SSB
Definition:	Send Snap Back
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Summary of Key Points for the Second Definition

"Secret Single Behavior" is another common definition for SSB on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok..

SSB
Definition:	Secret Single Behavior
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults

Summary of Key Points for the Third Definition

In gaming, "Super Smash Bros" is a common defintion for SSB.

SSB
Definition:	Super Smash Bros
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Under 13s

An Academic Look at SSB

Whether used with the meaning "Secret Single Behavior," "Send Snap Back," or "Super Smash Bros.", SSB is an initialism abbreviation. This means it is pronounced using its individual letters (i.e., Ess Ess Bee).