What is BRB full form and how do you use it right in your digital communication? Let’s unravel and decipher the story behind this tiny abbreviation becoming one of the most used internet nicknames.
In this new age of instant messaging, abbreviated messages and quasi instant return, abbreviations are a staple of natural language communication today. Whether it is sent as an SMS to a friend, or a message to someone in the office or on Discord, you have likely come across the word BRB.
The Meaning of BRB
BRB full form stands for “Be Right Back.”
Likewise, it’s a very quick way of telling someone that you’re not ending a conversation, but you want to take a break and go have a snack or take a phone call or do whatever, but you’ll be back soon.
It’s one of the oldest of the Internet slang and goes way back to the early days of online chat on services like the AOL Instant Messenger and IRC. The decades have seen new forms of communication and slang; BRB is popular because it has a very clear meaning – and polite – and instant: “I’ll be back soon”.
Why People Use BRB
The first report on the use of BRB is the ease of use. On super-charged online chat, it feels like a burden to key in ‘Be Right Back’ as you stand up from your keyboard. In contrast, type BRB is faster and understood instantaneously by everybody already.
Here are some of the situations where BRB is a perfect fit:
- When after a few minutes during a conversation or gaming session there is a need for a brief pause
- When you are multi-tasking and you want to have another task for a little while.
- With video calls or online meetings, one needs to step away from the meeting for seconds every now and then
- Carefully merge into conversation and not just drop out of conversation
In effect, BRB is used in the virtual space to ensure civility and keep the dialogue open.
How to Integrate BRB into my Conversations
BRB is light-weight and free from any kind of official rules. It is also very casual in any form of internet messages like WhatsApp, Discord, Instagram, Slack, Emails to work colleagues, etc. Let’s look at a few examples:
Example 1 – Text Message:
Friend: OMG, have you watched the new episode?
You: Not yet, BRB!
Example 2 – Gaming Chat:
Teammate: Ready to play another round?
Me: Oh, BRB – need some more water.
As we can see, BRB can be used for both the casual and semi-professional level. However, it should be mentioned that this will not work for everyone – typically there is tone and context to consider so it is better suited to use in informal one-to-one messaging as opposed to a formal business email.
Ways BRB Can Present Itself
Over the years, Internet users have amusingly altered the meaning of BRB to be more specific. Some of these are likely to be evident in your conversations, such as the following:
- BBL: Be Back Later
- BBS: Be Back Soon
- BFN: Bye for Now
- GTG: Got to Go
- AFK: Away from Keyboard
While all of these have their own context, they all perform the same function – to indicate that you are taking a vacation for an extended period of time.
When Not to Use BRB?
Although BRB is conversational and light, it may not be suitable either in tone or in context.
For example:
- Formwork Emails: Brb does not look great in official emails with clients or bosses. It may appear too informal.
- Important Conversations: If the conversation is of a serious or emotional nature, use “I’ll be right back” instead of BRB, and refrain from using the word “mom” altogether in order to find a tone that does not appear disrespectful.
- When You’re Gone For a While: If you’re gone for hours, using BRB may give the other person the impression that you’re going to be back later – always better to use “Be back later” or “Talk to you soon.”
How BRB Used to Evolve Over the Years in New Messaging
Interestingly, BRB has lost its identity as a venue on some digital platforms – not because breaks are disappearing, but because on platforms such as WhatsApp or messenger, digital notification icons and ‘last seen’ are displayed.
But BRB is also a nostalgic replica; it is still brilliant in the world of gaming, streaming and fevered group chatter where short messaging still commands center stage.
Indeed, for a gaming community for example, the simple contraction of BRB (be right back) before leaving for some reason is a polite shorthand that informs your fellow teammates that you will be back soon enough – and which they can plan the game around accordingly. It’s still generally used in comments, captioning, and DMs on social media sites as part of everyday street slang.
Conclusion
In the ever-changing landscape of online communication, where messages whiz by every second, BRB is a beacon of digital decorum and communication efficiency, ever timeless.
Whether you’re talking to your friends, playing a game or even you’re taking a break from holding on the phone on a video call – all of the above – saying BRB is saying, “I’m still here, I just need a minute or so.”
Also Read: What Do fr meaning in chat, and what does FRFR Mean In the Internet Slang Dictionary?