# Etymology of "BB" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 24, 2002, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bb/99841 "2002-03-24T09:23:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Neurodoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/848f3c/32.png) [@Neurodoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurodoc)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2002, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bb/99841/1 "2002-03-24T09:23:54Z")
I was browsing through my trusty American Heritage dictionary today, and came across the word, “BB.” The definition is a standard lead shot that measures 0.18 inches in diameter. The origin of the word was listed as uncertain. I recall reading that in the 1840’s a Frenchman by the name of Flobert invented a “bulleted breach” percussion cap (BB Cap), which was a percussion cap into which was fitted a small lead projectile. This was meant to be shot from a gun, and thus became the first metallic firearm cartridge, incidentally of the “rimfire” type. I do not recall the caliber of Flobert’s bullet, but it was probably of the size to fit into the mouth of then current percussion caps. Probably less than a qurater inch (.25 caliber) I would guess. As to modern BB’s, they are a bit under 0.18 inches diameter. My AH Dictionary is from the early 1970’s. Maybe they have updated their etymology. ---
**Author:** ![Mikahw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Mikahw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikahw)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2002, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bb/99841/2 "2002-03-24T11:30:45Z")
I always thought that BB was just an abbreviation for ball bearing. Of course, I could be wrong. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2002, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bb/99841/3 "2002-03-24T14:32:16Z")
Well, why don’t you just use the _search_ feature and… What? It doesn’t? Oh. It appears that the term is from American English. But that doesn’t mean that it didn’t originate as you suggest, **Neurodoc**. _Mathews_ cites it first in print in 1874 as follows > [@](#): > > B or BB may with propriety be used in large or very close shooting guns. I’ll leave it up to gun people to discuss shot sizes being labled as B and BB, etc. in the 19th C. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2002, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bb/99841/4 "2002-03-24T15:22:23Z")
You just have to know what to look for, sam. A couple of earlier threads on the subject: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=11477](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=11477) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=47346](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=47346) ---
**Author:** ![Neurodoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/848f3c/32.png) [@Neurodoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurodoc)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/etymology-of-bb/99841/5 "2002-03-25T05:19:36Z")
I read the threads from the SD archives, and I guess that my etymology is correct, and “ball bearing” is not. Thus “BB” comes from Flobert’s “Bulleted Breach” percussion Cap. I don’t know if ball bearings were commonplace, or even existed in 1874. BB caps had been around by then for 30 years… Someone should contact the egg-head etymologists and let them know that another etymological “mystery” has been solved by one of Cecil’s teeming millions…