Meaning
What does BRB mean?
BRB is a popular online abbreviation, signifying the message of “Be Right Back”.
It may also be used as an acronym for geographical areas, specifically the island nation of Barbados and the German state of Brandenburg.
Origin
What's the origin of BRB?
While the exact origin of “BRB” is not known, it started emerging online in 1996, predominantly on image and message boards, forums and chatrooms.
SMS technology in the early 2000’s has also contributed to the establishment of the phrase.
Spread & Usage
How did BRB spread?
“BRB” was first defined on Urban Dictionary in 2003, with a large number of other entries having been uploaded since then.
The rise of social media in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s has led to the widespread recognition of “BRB” along with a series of other acronyms, used for abbreviating common phrases.