

In 2014, Pharrell Williams used it in the title of his single " Come Get It Bae." Chris Kelly of Fact wrote sarcastically that "nothing says timeless like a song with 'bae' in the title." The word's use in song lyrics dates to at least 2004, featuring in JoJo’s hit Leave (Get Out). "You got a bae? Or nah?" originated on Vine and featured people chanting the phrase. Lexicographer Grant Barrett wrote that this was "a kind of incompetent narcissistic guile which may capture the spirit of our age." "Cooking for bae" featured people posting photos of failed dishes, often called "struggle meals," supposedly created for their partners. "Bae caught me slippin '" featured people posting pictures of themselves pretending to be asleep that were supposedly taken by their partners. Several Internet memes have caused the widespread adoption of the term. It has been suggested that the term originated as an acronym for "before anyone else," but this is unlikely this false etymology is probably an example of a backronym. The term originated as an abbreviation of the word baby or babe. It came into widespread use around 20 through social media and hip-hop and R&B lyrics. Bae ( / b eɪ/ BAY) is a slang term of endearment primarily used among youth in communities.
