Word origins | "Boo" and "bae"

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

Where does "boo" come from?

"Boo" is deeply rooted in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and has since made its way into mainstream American English. One theory suggests it comes from the French word "beau," which means "beautiful" or "handsome." Over time, it evolved into a common term of affection for a loved one.

For example:

"I'm planning a surprise dinner for my boo."

"She's been my boo since high school."

"Janelle couldn't wait to see her boo after a long day."

What does "bae" stand for?

"Bae" is often thought to stand for "before anyone else," emphasizing someone's importance in your life. But some linguists believe it's just a shortened form of "baby" or "babe." Either way, the word has taken on a life of its own, especially in pop culture and social media.

For example:

"Spending Valentine's Day with my bae is all I need."

"He's always looking out for his bae."

"Bae and I are planning a cozy movie night."

Whether you're spending Valentine's Day with your boo, your bae, or just vibing solo, it's cool to see how these words became part of the way we talk about love. As language keeps changing, one thing stays the same — 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.