Another Confusing TikTok Acronym: What Does BMF Mean?

“BMF” could mean many things in a TikTok post.

• Buy Me Food: an understandable request from hungry (and cash-starved) teens on the social media platform.
• Be My Friend: another understandable request on the app, where TikTok users are often looking to connect with others and form new friendships (or content collaborations).
• Blow Money Fast: a term that comes from the Rick Ross hit “B.M.F. (Blow Money Fast)” and is used in several other hip-hop songs. It also stands for “Black Mafia Family,” a cable TV docudrama about an infamous cocaine empire that was the inspiration for the Ross song.

In the medical world, BMF stands for “bone marrow failure,” a term unlikely to be heard in TikTok videos — and to be honest, the other uses we’ve listed aren’t the most common meanings of “BMF” in TikTok content, either.

Here’s the one that is.

What Is BMF on TikTok?

1970s music fans will remember the theme song from the first Shaft movie. Younger film buffs will remember the phrase inscribed on Jules Winnfield’s wallet in Pulp Fiction. Those who follow UFC know that fighters are recognized with an unofficial title for being the toughest and most exciting in the sport.

(Warning: explicit language ahead.)

In all of those examples, and in most posts using the acronym on TikTok, BMF stands for “bad motherfucker.”

The phrase was censored when Isacc Hayes’ “Theme from Shaft” was played on the radio. The actor played by Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction had it printed on his wallet in homage to the Shaft character. And the UFC created a “Baddest Motherfucker” belt for winners of “BFM bouts” starting in 2019.

For decades, “bad motherfucker” has been used colloquially as a term of admiration, disdain, or even fear. It can refer to people with outstanding fighting or athletic skills but is also used to describe those who are vicious or despicable. Michael Jordan in the clutch, and Al Capone (in general), could each be described as a BMF who no one would want to challenge.

TikTok users have adopted the phrase in recent years, most likely due to publicity for the UFC BMF bouts. You may see it used in videos about people nailing a skateboarding routine with a world-record score, someone walking away victorious after a street fight, or even someone who aces all of their tests in school to graduate with a perfect GPA.

Most often, though, BMF on TikTok refers to an attitude. A person who is dressed to impress, dominates the club scene, or demonstrates confidence and swagger in any other situation is often described on the app as a “BMF.” Users may even describe themselves as a BMF when they show off the latest outfit they’ve scored from Shein.

Be careful to understand the context before commenting on a “BMF video” on TikTok, though. It could be embarrassing if you posted a comment about the user not being such a big deal, but they were simply asking for food or new friends.