You’ve probably heard or seen the term “Be there or be square.” It’s a slang phrase, and it’s meant to encourage or pressure someone to attend an event or take part in an activity. But how do you use it? Read on to learn the correct usage and fascinating etymology of the phrase.
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What Does “Be There or Be Square” Mean?
As mentioned in the intro, it is a playful invitation to encourage someone to attend an event or participate in an activity. Sometimes, it can go beyond encouragement and become more like applying pressure. Keep in mind that it rarely goes into the realm of coercion, though, as the phrase is meant to be more playful than threatening.
Understanding the “Be there” part is easy, but what about the “be square” part? To be square (or a square) is slang for being boring, conventional, old-fashioned, traditional, etc. In other words, someone who’s a square is someone who isn’t cool.
Square became a popular slang term among teens and young adults in the 1950s. They often applied the term to parents, teachers, and other authority figures. Such people weren’t “hip,” a slang term for cool, with the times, etc.
Ironically, the slang term “hip” as we know it now started in the 1930s and 1940s among African American jazz musicians and audiences. So, the hip teens were using slang created by people they probably saw as squares.
The term “Be there or be square” probably came around the 1950s, though there is some speculation it began in the 1940s following WWII.
Here’s a sample conversation using the term:
Friend 1: Hey man, are you going to Greg's party on Saturday night? It's gonna be insane!
Friend 2: I don't know, man. The last one of those got busted by the cops, and I had a headache for like two days.
Friend 1: Suit yourself, but it's gonna be epic, and everyone who matters will be there. Be there or be square!How to Use “Be There or Be Square”
In the sample conversation above, there’s an implication that not going means missing out on something good. It also means that not going could mark you as uncool since all the cool kids will be there.
That’s the way you’re supposed to use the phrase. Sometimes, it’s said with a wink, and sometimes, it applies mild pressure. Keep in mind that the event it refers to should be something fun, like a birthday party, concert, or a huge party. It would be wildly inappropriate to use it for serious situations like a funeral. You also wouldn’t see it on something like a wedding invitation unless the engaged were intentionally trying to be funny.
Other Ways to Say “Be There or Be Square”
If you want to say something different that means much the same, you do have several options. Not all are perfect substitutes, but here’s a sampling:
- Don’t miss out on the fun.
- You snooze, you lose.
- Don’t be a stick in the mud.
- Join the gathering or be out of the loop!
- Life is short. Live a little. This is pretty close to “be there or be square,” but with a subtle difference. It implies that the person is a little reluctant to loosen up and have fun.
- Don’t be a party pooper. This phrase could apply if your absence would negatively affect things. However, it’s more suited to someone who shows up and then spoils the fun.
- Carpe diem or “Seize the day.” The meaning is you shouldn’t pass on opportunities that come up since you never know what tomorrow will bring.
- Let’s paint the town red. This phrase is really an encouragement to go out and party wildly.
- Life is a party, so let’s dance: Similar to “Life is short. Live a little.”
Final Thoughts
“Be there or be square” has been around for several decades. It is a playful way to invite someone to attend an event or be considered uncool, miss out on the fun, or both. Just a reminder: this English expression isn’t meant to be taken too seriously, and it doesn’t have a negative connotation. So, if you can’t go, don’t worry that much about it!
