TBT

On Thursdays, many social media users post nostalgic pictures from their past. This trend is known as Throwback Thursday, or TBT.

Origin of TBT

The first known use of Throwback Thursday was in 2006 on the blog NiceKicks.com, by author Matt Halfhill. NiceKicks.com's Throwback Thursdays featured pictures and write-ups of old sneakers.

Whether from Halfhill's site or somewhere else, the phrase Throwback Thursday eventually migrated to Twitter. There, users began posting weekly Throwback Thursday pictures alongside the #TBT hashtag. TBT is now also prevalent on Instagram and Facebook, especially among certain influencers.

Someone who uses TBT to mean "truth be told" is sharing their honest opinion about something. You're most likely to encounter this version of TBT in chat or text messages, sent by a friend or family member who has decided it's time for some real talk.

Usually, when someone uses TBT, the truth they're sharing is serious, critical, and/or unkind. For example, after you break up with an SO, your BFF may say "TBT, I never liked them anyway."