In b4 X (2007)

added Nov 19, 2009 at 07:51AM UTC

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The phrase “In before”, most commonly abbreviated as “in b4” means to post before likely anticipated content or predictable user behavior.

While “in b4” is commonly used on 4chan, it can apply to all forums.

Origin

True origin is unknown, but it is most likely to be coined by 4chan.

One of the earliest archived examples of “in b4” on 4chan is from March 31st, 2007, although it is doubtful that this is the first appearence.

  • Post No.23351726 from thread 23351072 “Amigara Fault… drrr…drrr…drrr”

    in b4 drr…drr…drr

Usage

“In b4” is used when a poster replies before the most likely event or another users posts some specific content or phrase. This is done to avoid said content or provoke lulz at someone who actually posts it afterwards.

A common example are CP threads on 4chan where the thread is amassed with “in b4 404” to indicate they have viewed the thread before a mod deleted it.

Spread

The first (and currently only) Urban Dictionary definition was created on April 30th, 2007 by Frederico Lo Cunto.


An abbreviation used on messageboards like /b/ in anticipation of a certain image, event, or meme occuring.
“In b4 Togepi” = I am sure that any second now, a picture of Togepi will be posted to this thread.

“In b4 b&” = There is no doubt that someone is about to get the banhammer because of their churlish behavior.

“In b4 v&” = I am quite certain that the FBI will soon be showing up to take us all for a ride in the party van, and if such a thing happens, you can’t say I didn’t see it coming.

The first ED article on “In Before X” was created four months later on August 3rd, 2007.


In before X can only be used as the first reply to a thread or comment, and only if that thread or comment is bait: that is, there is a near 100% chance that someone else will reply to the OP using a particular meme, flame, or solution. Saying “in before X”, where X is the anticipated response in question (or a variation thereof), under any other circumstances is rong.

The intent of the OP is irrelevant. Even if he’s completely ignorant of whatever he’s baiting, he is STILL baiting it.

In before X is a troll’s way of bragging that he got to a thread before the anticipated reply could be posted, thus mocking all future posters to that thread for their slowness.

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7 Comments

delibrete
Nov 19, 2009 at 09:30AM UTC , delibrete wrote:

it can also be “inb4dalock”. mostly seen on mywii.com when someone posts a topic and then when people know its gonna get locked, they say “INB4DALOK!!!”

Deuxieme_en_pie
Nov 20, 2009 at 02:23AM UTC , Deuxieme_en_pie wrote:

This is basically a funny/internet slang-ified way of pointing out what’s going to happen in a thread.

One example is if it’s obvious that the thread is going to slip into endless flamewar over a controversial topic, whether it’s original intent was pure or not.
Eg. There’s a thread in the TF2 forums on steam which is talking about overpowered weapons you’d create if you could. An expected response would be “inb4 FAN,” which is a weapon that has considerable controversy over it’s OPness.

It’s also used to signal that a thread’s going nowhere. This is on forums where the thread would likely be locked because it’s got material that’s just resulting in a flame war.
In the case of inb4 404, it’s almost 100% used in response to CP on 4chan, mainly used simply to signal that the thread’s minutes are numbered.

Memedude7737
Nov 20, 2009 at 08:54PM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

I’ve seen 3 instances of this on forum sites.

One instance is “inb4lock.” That one is listed.

Another is “inb4delete.” The say this on threads most likely to get deleted by mods/admins.

Lastly, there is “inaftalock”, where someone gets a post in when the creator of the thread is locking it.

Chris Menning
Nov 20, 2009 at 09:22PM UTC , Chris Menning wrote:

Just to be clear (and I know I’m being anal about terminology here) but the term you should use here is “variations” and not “instances.”

A variation is made up of many instances of the same type. An instance is an individual occurence.

Memedude7737
Nov 21, 2009 at 12:59AM UTC , Memedude7737 wrote:

Got it. Plus, it’d be nice to see more variations on 4chan in the image section.

34GET
Dec 12, 2009 at 07:59PM UTC , 34GET wrote:

op’s main pic is its own meme in my opinion. i seen that pic used so much its not even funny.

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