Acronym
What does TBH mean?
To be honest: a warning that candour is coming, often already priced in.
Definition
TBH prepares the blow or the compliment. In school it became an anonymous-ask game (tbh?). In chat it is IMO with a claim to truth. NGL (not gonna lie) is the cousin. Neither guarantees honesty; both ask permission to be blunt.
Origin
English from messenger and Tumblr, 2000s–2010s.
History
From teen 'tbh you cute' to the venting tweet.
How it emerged
Candour needed a preface that fit a T9 keypad.
Usage examples
TBH that plan is bad.
The Tumblr-era tbh? was an invitation, not a verdict.
Translations
- pt TBH / na real
- en TBH
- es TBH / para ser honesto
Synonyms
- to be honest
- real talk
- NGL
Acronyms
- TBH
Related terms
Acronym
IMO
In my opinion: a cushion before the take, sometimes sincere, sometimes a humility performance.
Acronym
NGL
Not gonna lie: the same licence as TBH, with a 2010s accent.
Acronym
SMH
Shaking my head: disbelief reduced to three letters.
Questions
What does TBH mean?
To be honest. A preface of candour.
Same as NGL?
Almost. NGL is not gonna lie. Both open a judgement.
Tumblr tbh??
An invitation to say what you thought of someone, usually in the anonymity of that era.