What Does Body Count Mean? Decoding the Term
“Body count” is one of the many slang terms used online and among younger generations. But what does it mean? Read on to discover the exact body count meaning and definition.
Contents:
What Does Body Count Mean?
Let’s kick off with a definition. If you’ve been wondering what “body count” refers to or where the phrase began, here’s all you need to know.
Meaning
Body count can have several meanings. The most traditional meaning refers to the number of enemies killed by a soldier. For example, a trained United States Marine sniper could have a body count of 50 or more, which means that they had over 50 confirmed enemy kills.
However, in modern slang, “body count” has taken on a very different meaning. Online and among certain people, especially young people, it’s used to refer to the number of people someone has slept with (had sexual intercourse with).
Origin
The original military meaning of “body count” goes back to the 1960s, when soldiers used it during the Vietnam War. However, the modern sexual definition of this phrase is more recent, first being used in the 2010s. We can’t be sure exactly where it began, but it quickly spread online on forums and sites like 4chan and Reddit.
How Is It Used?
So, how is the phrase “body count” used? Typically, it tends to be used online on social media sites and in dating circles. Here are some examples.
In Social Media
Online, on social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram, people might use “body count” either in positive or negative ways. Often, males might boast about their body count, while denigrating women they believe to have a high body count.
Examples can include:
“Added three more names to my body count this month.” — Someone boasting about sleeping with three new people.
“I won’t date any woman with a body count over two.” — Someone claiming that they choose prospective partners based on their body count, while also denigrating women.
In Dating
In dating circles, too, people might ask one another about their body count using questions like “What’s your body count?” to determine how many people their date has slept with up to that point. They may then use that information to judge or even criticize them.
How to Talk with Your Kid about Slang
Parents need to be able to talk with their children about slang phrases that could be harmful, like “body count.” There are several ways to do this:
- Ask questions like “What are some of the new words your friends are using these days?”
- Discuss some of the slang terms from when you were young and then begin a discussion of modern slang.
You can also use parent-friendly apps, like Kids360, to prevent your kids from getting involved with sites and apps where they might be exposed to mature or unhealthy terms, like “body count.” Kids360 gives you the power to control how much screen time your kids have and which apps they can access.
Summing Up: Understanding Body Count
There you have it. Now you know exactly what “body count” means. So, if you happen to hear your kids or their friends using it, you won’t feel confused or left out. Just remember to speak with your children if you hear them using a term like that and make sure they understand how it may be used cruelly to judge or hurt others.
FAQ
What does someone’s body count mean?
“Body count” refers to how many people someone has slept with.
What is a good body count for a woman?
There’s no such thing as a “good body count” for anybody, as everyone has different attitudes to sex. Between four and eight is considered average for both men and women, but some people have fewer and others have many more.
Cover image: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com
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