How to Pronounce RBF (Resting Bitch Face)

Meaning and Context

RBF, an acronym for Resting Bitch Face, is a colloquial term describing a neutral facial expression that is commonly and often inaccurately perceived as conveying anger, contempt, annoyance, or aloofness. This phenomenon, which gained significant traction as a viral pop culture concept in the early 2010s through memes and social media discourse, highlights the societal tendency to interpret and judge facial cues, particularly those of women, within a narrow emotional framework. The concept has spurred discussions in psychology about facial expressivity, resting state features, and implicit bias, while also entering the lexicon of everyday social commentary. Beyond mere slang, RBF has been explored in relation to gender stereotypes, workplace perceptions, and the broader politics of emotional labor, making it a relevant topic for discussions on nonverbal communication, unconscious bias, and digital culture.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary term is almost exclusively abbreviated as "RBF," with the full phrase being "Resting Bitch Face." Common variations and related terms include "Resting Bitch Face Syndrome" or simply "Resting Face," though the latter lacks the specific connotative meaning. Frequent misspellings and typos arise from attempts to spell out the acronym, such as "Resting Bitch Facade" (a malapropism confusing "face" with "facade"), "Resting Bitch Phase," or "Resting Bitch Fate." The word "bitch" is sometimes censored or softened in more formal or public discussions, leading to variants like "Resting Bch Face," "Resting BF," or the euphemistic "Resting Neutral Face." It is also occasionally incorrectly pluralized as "Resting Bitch Faces" when referring to the general phenomenon rather than a specific instance.

Example Sentences

Despite being a warm and attentive listener, Maya was often told she had a severe case of RBF, which made new acquaintances mistakenly think she was bored or disapproving.

The article explored how the pop culture concept of Resting Bitch Face can negatively impact professional perceptions, especially for women in leadership roles.

He joked that his natural, relaxed expression wasn't a scowl but merely his RBF, a defense he used to preempt misunderstandings.

Online forums are filled with memes and personal anecdotes from people who feel their RBF creates an unintended social barrier.

Some psychologists argue that labeling a neutral expression with such a loaded term reinforces gendered stereotypes about emotional expression and appropriateness.

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