BS Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Today’s word of the day is BS. BS is an abbreviation for multiple words. The American English definitions of BS are bachelor of science, bill of sales, bachelor of surgery, or bullsh*t (vulgar slang). 

It’s always fun learning something new, and with this term, you’re learning a handful of words in just a few minutes. 

What Is the Definition of BS? 

The Collins Dictionary claims that the definition of BS is the first degree from a college or university in a subject of science that a student can receive. Science subjects include computer science, mathematics, psychology, statistics, and each of the natural sciences. 

It’s important to remember that a B.S. is different from a B.A., which is a Bachelor of Arts degree. This degree consists of subject matters like interpersonal and people skills.

Both are considered bachelor’s degrees but are just in different subject matters. Traditionally, a BS is more challenging to obtain as BS programs require higher test scores in historically challenging subjects.

What Does BS Mean? 

BS Is an Abbreviation for multiple words and terms. It can mean a few different things depending on the context in which it’s used. 

Below, we’ll talk about the meaning of this new word, BS, all its forms, and how to use it. Whether you’re using it to refer to a bill of sales or a way to use vulgar slang is up to you.

Here are all the meanings of BS and how to use them. 

Bachelor of Science 

In academic terms, BS stands for Bachelors of Science. 

A B.S. degree is awarded to students that have completed the necessary classes and internships the degree requires. A B.S. typically takes three-five years to complete. 

In the US, Before completing your bachelor of science or arts, you must complete your AA degree, which is an Associated in Arts degree. An AA takes about two years to complete; then, you can pursue your bachelor’s. Once your bachelor’s is complete, next up is your master’s, then a doctorate. 

The first bachelor’s in science was given to a London student in 1860. 

Balance Sheet

BS is also used in business terms to refer to a balance sheet.

A balance sheet is a statement of assets and liabilities, which is a summary of all financial balances and costs for a company or organization. 

Many organizations use balance sheets to manage their finances, ensuring they make cost-effective and responsible decisions. 

Bill of Sales 

A bill of sale is essentially a receipt — it protects the buyer and the seller. A bill of sale is typically written up when two parties are doing a translation. 

The bill of sales will be written up and submitted by the seller. Then, this bill of sales must be signed and notarized to be effective. The bill of sales will show that both parties agreed to the translation. 

The use of a bill of sales shows proof of new ownership and that the previous owner is no longer responsible for the property purchased. Big purchases such as cars require a bill of sales before the new owner can take the car off the lot. 

British Standard

BS in British English has different meanings than in American English, and one of them is British standard. British standards indicate the publication numbers of the British standard institutions. 

Bachelor of Surgery 

While in the US, a bachelor’s degree in the medical field is referred to as a Bachelor’s in Medicine, in the U.K., it’s called a bachelor’s in Surgery — or B.S. Degree for short. 

In American English, we occasionally refer to a B.S.M as a bachelor’s in surgery too, but it’s not as common

Base Station 

Many people refer to a base station as a BS. A BS is the primary location that provides your cell service. Each base station features a short-range transceiver that connects to a cordless phone or wireless device that allows connection to the internet. 

Britney Spears

Yes, people even use BS when referring to the iconic pop star Britney Spears. B.S. is Spear’s initials; sometimes, in magazines or news stories, they will use her initials for convenience instead of writing her full name. 

Bullsh*t

Bullsh*t is considered vulgar slang and means to write and speak foolishly. Bullsh*t is also used to describe someone misleading another person with wrong or not truthful information. This can be characterized as deceptiveness. 

The term bullsh*it is derived from the Old French word bole, which means fraud or deceit. Bullsh*t has been used since 1915 as British American slang. Its usage skyrocketed during World War II. 

Its synonyms are bull, crap, gibberish, drivel, guff, hogwash, and nonsense. 

Why Are Abbreviations Important? 

Abbreviations and acronyms are shortened versions of multiple words and phrases. They’re essential in writing, as they make documents much easier to read. Sometimes abbreviations can get tricky if you don’t know what they stand for, but you will normally figure it out once you analyze the context in which it was used. 

Abbreviations make academics and work much easier, especially if your job involves a lot of reading and writing. They also help avoid repetitive writing, making text easier to read and making everything run more efficiently. 

Conclusion

Abbreviations like BS are commonly used in the American English language. They’re very useful and make reading things like medical documents much easier. While abbreviations can be tricky if you don’t already know what they start for, that’s nothing a bit of research can’t fix. 

Sources: 

BS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

Britney Spears | Biography, Songs, Albums, Documentary, & Facts | Britannica

The use of abbreviations in medical records in a multidisciplinary world–an imminent disaster | NCBI