What Is Be Right Back (BRB)?

Be right back. This phrase often means that an internet user will be away from their keyboard for a short time. It is often used to express politeness so that other users do not wonder why someone is not saying anything for a while. BRB can also be used ironically, as in the case of someone trying to get another person's attention (as in "BRB, mom's calling"). BRB is the most polite way to let your fellow internet users know you'll be away from your keyboard for a short time. It's also one of the only ways to express politeness online without talking to anyone. BRB is one of those things that has been around forever, but it's still cool every time we see it used. There's something so satisfying about seeing an acronym for "be right back" when you're reading an article and realizing that the author was talking about how they would do something else for a minute. You know what that means when you get a text from your friend that says, "Be right back," or BRB. It means they're about to do something for a few minutes—like get their hair cut, buy some groceries, or fill the tank with gas—and then they'll be back. When you hear someone say it in person? Well. That's a different story. The thing is, we talk little now. We text. We email. We DM on Twitter. We write lengthy paragraphs on Facebook (even though we know it's not meant for that). As we're so used to communicating digitally, sometimes we need to remember how to talk to people in person! So when your friend asks if she can borrow $20 and then tells you she'll be right back, she has yet to return.