BRB

Origin

In the burgeoning days of the internet, as chat rooms and instant messaging platforms took hold in the late 20th century, a new etiquette was needed for digital conversations. Unlike face-to-face interactions, where a temporary departure was obvious, online users required a quick, shorthand way to signal a brief absence without logging off entirely. From this need, "BRB"—short for "Be Right Back"—emerged as a popular solution. It allowed participants to step away from their keyboards for a moment, grab a snack, or answer a call, and then smoothly rejoin the ongoing virtual dialogue, becoming a cornerstone of online communication and temporary digital courtesy.