Slang dictionary
bash
or basher [bash] or [bash-er]
What does bash mean?
Bash means “to strike” something with great force. It’s been adopted as slang for hurling insults or verbal abuse at someone.
A bash is also an older, like way older, slang term for “a wild party.”
Where does bash come from?
Dating back to the 1600s, the simple verb bash is “to hit something with force.” It’s equivalent with the words strike and beat …
Giphy
The use of bash for “a wild party” appears as slang by at least the 1940s.
Lighthouse Poole
Bash, for “to insult or verbally abuse,” emerged by the 1950s out of the original “striking” sense of the verb (i.e., hurling very harsh, even hateful criticism). One historic instance is queer-bashing, or slurring the LGBTQ community. Use of this bashing saw even more use due to cyberbullying, trolling, and internet comment culture.
Examples of bash
Who uses bash?
Bashing, for “violent blows,” is frequently used in expressions like bash one’s head against a wall or keyboard. Expect to see this when someone’s in the pique of anger or frustration.
liars make me wanna take my head and bash it into a fucking wall
— ari (@AirannaC) July 15, 2014
Bash, for “insult,” is used in speech, writing, and social media. Expect to see this bash when someone (or the internet hive-mind) is bashing a celebrity, product, or some other cultural phenomenon they dislike: He bashed Samsung’s new phone … or Twitter bashed Facebook’s corporate apology about hacking. A basher (e.g., anime-basher) is not unlike a troll or hater. Bashing, as in the general practice of insulting something, is common, too. For instance: Quit bashing on the new gamers in the forum.
Promote what you love, don't bash what you hate.
— Define YOUR Grind (@DefineYourGrind) July 15, 2014
As mentioned, bash was once slang for a lively party. It’s still seen in phrases like birthday bash.
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of bash like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of bash that will help our users expand their word mastery.