Phoebe Buffay of “Friends” explained the meaning of the acronym “BFF” on the 25th and final episode of the sitcom’s third season, which premiered May 15, 1997. She uses the term with the rest of the gang and then needs to explain that it stands for “Best Friend Forever.”
Many credit Phoebe and the “Friends” writers with creating the term, but the Oxford Dictionary claims it was used before that time. Nonetheless, the popularity and massive audience of the sitcom helped catapult BFF into our cultural lexicon. Other “Friends” phrases, such as “going commando” and “friendzone,” became well-known after appearing in the television series.
According to Grammarly.com, BFF is an initialism of the phrase best friend(s) forever, and it’s a term of endearment used for selected close friends. It’s been in use since at least 1996, although the concept of having a best friend predates the phrase.
Who is your BFF?
Maybe today, National Friends Day, which is celebrated in the U.S. as an unofficial holiday every year on June 8, is the day to reach out to your closest friends. After all, BFFs are good for you. The Mayo Clinic says, “Good friends are good for your health. Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends also play a significant role in promoting your overall health. Adults with strong social support have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, including depression, high blood pressure and an unhealthy body mass index (BMI). Studies have even found that older adults with a rich social life are likely to live longer than their peers with fewer connections.”
Speaking of BFFs, how often do you think about our greatest friend of all? Join us this Sunday, June 11, as we recognize “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Our worship will be held at 8:00 AM (outdoor spoken liturgy, weather permitting), 10:15 AM (traditional liturgy), and 6:00 PM (healing service).
Blessings,
Pastor Marc
