Where do "boo" and "bae" come from?

Love has its own language, and it's not only flowers and chocolate. It's also the sweet nicknames we give the people we love, and few are more popular online than "boo" and "bae." If you haven't seen them in a text, you've probably heard them in a song. Let's look at where they come from.

Where does "boo" come from?

"Boo" has its roots in African American English and later spread into mainstream American English. One popular theory is that it comes from the French beau, which means "handsome" and is also used in English for a boyfriend or admirer. Over time, it turned into an affectionate name for a partner.

• She's been my boo since high school.
• Janelle couldn't wait to see her boo after a long day.
• I'm planning a surprise dinner for my boo.

What does "bae" stand for?

You'll often hear that "bae" stands for "before anyone else." It's a sweet idea, but most linguists think it's a shortened form of "babe" or "baby," and the "before anyone else" explanation came later. Either way, the word took on a life of its own on social media.

• Movie night with bae. Perfect.
• He always posts pictures with his bae.

Both words are very informal, and "bae" in particular peaked online a few years ago. Today, people often use it with a wink or as a joke. You probably won't want to use either one in an email to your colleagues.

Whether you're spending Valentine's Day with your boo, your bae, or just enjoying your own company, it's fun to see how these words became part of the way we talk about love. Language keeps changing, but we'll always find new ways to talk about the people who matter most.

English is always evolving, and that's what makes it fun. See more word origins on our Daily Dose of Denglisch Docs.