Meaning
What does BYOB mean?
BYOB is an acronym that is frequently seen on party invitations and posters, encouraging attendees to “Bring Your Own Bottle” or “Bring Your Own Booze”.
It is also a popular System of a Down song, protesting the war in Iraq.
Origin
What's the origin of BYOB?
While the exact origin of “BYOB” is not known, it is known that it derived from BYOL, standing for the phrase “Bring Your Own Liquor”.
By the 1920’s, “BYOB” had already emerged in some contexts, however it didn’t take over the popularity of BYOL until after the 1950’s.
In the 1990’s, “BYOB” would be widely recognized and closely associated with parties, both online and in real life.
Spread & Usage
How did BYOB spread?
“BYOB” was defined on Urban Dictionary as early as 2001, with a plethora of other entries having been written on the abbreviation since then.
The acronym also appears as the title of a popular System of a Down song, released by the band in March, 2005.