“Inb4” is a shortened version of “in before,” which is a term used in online conversations to anticipate and address a particular type of response from others. It is often used to try to disrupt the conversation or debate at the beginning by anticipating and addressing a certain type of reply. The exact origin of this internet slang is somewhat unclear, but some researchers have attempted to trace its history. According to these studies, “inb4” originated as a way for people to quickly and concisely acknowledge and address a specific type of response in online discussions, often with the intention of deflecting or disrupting the conversation.
InB4: An Official Definition
“Inb4” is a slang term that is commonly used on online discussion forums and imageboards. According to Urban Dictionary, it is used to predict an anticipated response or a predictable outcome within a given thread. Imageboards are similar to forums, but they place a greater emphasis on images and memes. Many popular memes originated on imageboards, including 4chan, which was a particularly well-known and controversial site.
It’s important to note that while Urban Dictionary may provide definitions for various slang terms, these definitions may not always be fully “official” or universally accepted.
InB4: An Origin Story
“Inb4” is a phrase that is often used on online forums and imageboards. It is derived from the phrase “in before the lock,” which originated on the website 4chan. The “in” part of the phrase refers to the act of posting a comment on a thread before it is deleted or “locked” by a moderator.
4chan was a popular and controversial website in the early 2010s, particularly due to its /b/ channel, which was known for containing disturbing and graphic images as well as some of the earliest examples of internet memes. The /b/ channel was known for being unregulated and chaotic, and moderators would often quickly delete or lock threads that contained questionable content. “In before the lock” became a way for users to post their comments before a thread was taken down, and “inb4” is a shortened version of this phrase that is still used today.
“Inb4” is a phrase that originated on the website 4chan, specifically in the /b/ channel. This channel was known for being a breeding ground for trolls and for the proliferation of trolling culture. “Inb4” was used as a way for users to get the last word in on a thread, whether it was a joke, a sarcastic comment, or a critical response.
The phrase “in before the lock” was first recorded in Urban Dictionary on March 9, 2006, and the shortened form “inb4” was first mentioned on 4chan on March 31, 2007, with an official definition being recorded on Urban Dictionary a month later on April 30, 2007. It is believed that “inb4” became popular as a way for users to make their comments before a thread was deleted or “locked” by a moderator.
InB4: the Rise of a Slang Term
“Inb4” is a phrase that was widely used on internet forums and imageboards, particularly on the website 4chan. By August 2007, the online encyclopedia Encyclopedia Dramatica had published an article about the proper usage of “inb4,” stating that it should only be used as the first reply to a thread or comment if the content of the thread or comment is “bait” – that is, if there is a high probability that someone will reply to it using a specific meme, flame, or solution.
The article also stated that using “inb4” under any other circumstances is incorrect. It is likely that this article helped to establish and clarify the proper usage of “inb4” among internet users.
“Inb4” is a phrase that has evolved over time and is now used to anticipate someone’s response to an original post, something that Encyclopedia Dramatica specifically warned against in its 2007 article on the proper usage of “inb4.” Internet slang, like real languages, can undergo evolution and redefinition over time.
“Inb4” is similar to the “first” comments that can be found on threads, particularly on YouTube, but it differs in that it can be used both as bait to provoke others to comment and as a ready-made response to any attempt to answer the original post. While it may not be as common as it once was, it is still used by some long-time internet users and is being passed on to the next generation.
The definition of “inb4” has changed significantly over time. It is now used to anticipate someone’s response to an original post, which goes against the guidelines for its usage outlined in Encyclopedia Dramatica’s 2007 article. This evolution in the meaning of “inb4” is similar to how real languages change and adapt over time.
“Inb4” is similar to the “first” comments that can be found on threads, particularly on YouTube, but it differs in that it can be used both as bait to provoke others to comment and as a ready-made response to any attempt to answer the original post. While it may not be as commonly used as it once was, it is still used by some older internet users and is being passed on to the next generation.
Inb4: Variations
- “Inb4” is a slang term that originated on the website 4chan and was later introduced to other forums and social media platforms, such as Reddit.
- The earliest recorded use of “inb4” on Reddit was in 2008.
- “Inb4” has spawned various iterations and variations, including:
- “In b4 Togepi”: The person using this variation is confident that someone will eventually reply to the thread with a photo of the Pokémon Togepi as a form of trolling.
- “In b4 404”: This variation was commonly used on 4chan to indicate that the poster believed the thread was about to be deleted and was taking steps to save the content contained in the thread.
- “In b4 b&”: This variation means “in before banned,” and is used when the poster expects to be banned by moderators for their actions or for violating board rules.
- “In b4 v&”: This variation, which is read as “in before van,” is used when posting or commenting on a thread with questionable content (such as pornography or gore). It refers to a joke on 4chan that the imageboard was being constantly monitored by the FBI from a stakeout van, and that posters could expect a house raid if they violated the rules.
“Inb4” is a slang term that has evolved over time and is now used to anticipate someone’s response to an original post on internet forums and image boards. It originated on the website 4chan and has since been introduced to other platforms, such as Reddit. There are various iterations and variations of “inb4,” including “In b4 Togepi,” “In b4 404,” “In b4 b&,” and “In b4 v&,” which have different meanings and contexts of use.
While internet slang may not be as significant as some technological developments, it is an interesting window into the minds of internet users and the way that language is created evolves and adapts to different environments. Despite its origins on a controversial website, “inb4” and other internet slang terms have become a popular part of internet culture and are used by many people around the world.