Beeb

English

Etymology

Clipping of BBC; possibly popularised by Peter Sellers, who is said to have called the corporation the Beeb Beeb Ceeb on The Goon Show in the 1950s.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /biːb/

  • Audio (Southern England):

    (file)

• Rhymes: -iːb

Proper noun

the Beeb

1. (UK, informal) The BBC.

Synonyms

• (BBC): Auntie, Auntie Beeb

Noun

Beeb (plural Beebs)

1. (informal) A BBC Micro (British home computer).
   • 1986, Byte:

     The BBC Micro (alias the Beeb) is still quite a deluxe machine, with better high-resolution color graphics than any of its competitors.

   • 1997, Fred Forsyth, “BBC Micro and Modem”, in comp.sys.acorn.misc (Usenet):

     I'm trying to connect an old 2400 modem to my Beeb. I've got the pin-outs for the RS423 and have connected them to the five pins of the RS232. But it still doesn't work.

   • 2000, Paul Beverley, “Beebs, please”, in comp.sys.acorn.announce (Usenet):

     I have someone wanting to take Beebs and Masters out to Romania for use in schools out there. So if you have one or more, including monitors and if you could somehow or other get them to Norwich, do please let me know.

Anagrams

• Bebe, Bébé