Now in its 26th milestone season, Big Brother has been on the air for over 20 years. Throughout the 26 seasons, the show has grown and evolved. In doing so, it has created its own vocabulary of words used solely within the game. From showmances to slop, Big Brother has grown its own dictionary worth of terminology that must be known not only to play the game, but also to watch the show.
Although Big Brother has changed a lot since it first premiered in 2000, the overall format of the show has remained the same. Each week, one player wins the power for the week. With the earned power comes the responsibility of nominating two houseguests for eviction. Then, the two nominees, the person in power, and three players of random draw all compete for the Power of Veto. At the end of the week, the houseguests secretly vote on which of the two nominees will be sent home. While it sounds pretty straight forward, there is so much more to it to be successful in the game, like understanding all the terminology used throughout the season.
1Showmance
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Showmance was one of the Big Brother terms that was created the earliest in the show. First originating during season 2 by Big Brother legend Will Kirby, the term showmance is used to describe a romantic relationship formed while living inside the house. At the time, Will created this term on Big Brother to describe his relationship with fellow houseguest Shannon Dragoo.
Since then, the term has been used all throughout reality television. Typically, these relationships are short-lived and do not continue on into the real world at the conclusion of the season. However, there have been a handful of showmances that have evolved into weddings and children.
2Have-Not
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Have-nots were first established early on in the show. Each week the houseguests would not only compete for power, but they would also compete for a comfortable living situation for the week. Players that lost this additional competition would become have-nots. This meant they were forced to be on a strict diet for the week, only take cold showers and sleep in the most uncomfortable room in the house.
This room was designed specifically for the have-nots with the intention of being extremely uncomfortable, resulting in lack of sleep. After season 15, the show did away with the additional weekly competition. Instead, the have-nots are chosen either at random, based off of the losing players in the Head of Household competition or simply by the decision of the Head of Household.
3Slop
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One of the rules of being a have-not for the week is that you are forced to eat a strict diet. At first, this diet solely consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. However, the strict diet later evolved to a can of slop during the first All-Star season in 2006. Slop is an oatmeal-like food made up of oats, protein powder and water.
Once slop was introduced, have-nots were no longer allowed to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or any other foods. Occasionally, Big Brother will gift have-nots with an additional food they are allowed to eat for the week; however, it is typically a very random food such as lollipops or a strange type of fish. Over the years, have-nots have become quite creative in how they make their slop. In fact, some have even found a way to make this infamous meal into cookies.
4The Block
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When the term "the block" is used in an episode of Big Brother, it is in reference to the two eviction chairs. Typically, the term is used in a sentence like, "They are both sitting on the block this week." Players that find themselves on the block are at risk of being evicted from the game, and it's not a comfortable spot for the houseguests.
No one wants to be sitting on the block come eviction night. Luckily, the houseguests that are put on the block at the start of the week have a chance of taking themselves off of the block prior to eviction night. One of the two players remaining on the block come eviction night will in fact be evicted from the game; however, there have been a few game twists in the past that have actually saved both players from eviction.
5Blindside
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No one wants to be blindsided in the Big Brother game, especially by their close allies. To be blindsided means to be left in the dark, and ultimately shocked, by a game decision. For example, this past season, Jag Bains blindsided both America Lopez and Cory Wurtenberger by nominating them both as replacement nominees during a season twist, ultimately breaking up their showmance.
The most common blindside in the Big Brother game is when the Head of Household shocks the houseguests with who they choose as a replacement nominee. This can lead to a lot of hurt feelings and dissapointment, but for viewers, it's one of the best aspects of Big Brother. Everyone looks forward to the eventual blindside; and when it happens, fireworks often fly.
6Backdoor
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Blindsides and backdoors go hand in hand. A backdoor is when the Head of Household replaces one of the current nominees with a different houseguest following the Power of Veto competition. In this case, the replacement nominee is always the target of the week, and what a tense week it will be.
Usually, players use the backdoor tactic when there is a large physical threat they want to get out of the game. If that threat was not chosen to play in the Power of Veto or, by some chance, lost the competition, it is the perfect opportunity to get them out of the game. Many times, backdoor plans come as a shock to the majority of the house as well as the targeted houseguest.
7Alliance
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Alliance is the most common Big Brother terminology. Alliance is simply a word used for players that are working together in the game. This can be anywhere from two players to eight players. Most times, when players agree to work together, they give their alliance a name.
When players go down in Big Brother history for their strong game play, they are often remembered by their alliance name. Typically, numerous alliances are formed throughout the season, but only some of them actually make it to the end of the game. Alliances begin forming on the first night inside the house. Then, as the game goes on, players will find themselves in many different alliances, some with the same people and some with different players.
8Blood On My Hands
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Another common term that stems from Big Brother but is used on other reality shows as well is "blood on my hands." When players make dirty game moves, they fear getting "blood on their hands." In simple terms, getting blood on their hands means the player making the game move would upset one or more other houseguests which could potentially make themselves a target in the long run.
While the houseguest first comes into the Big Brother house looking to forge friendships (and showmances), this is, first-and-first, a competition, and sometimes, in order to stay in the game, a houseguerst will need to get "blood on their hands" from time-to-time.
9Floater
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When players fear getting blood on their hands, they tend to back away from being involved with major game-play. Players that are not involved in the game-play and, at times, are not even in any alliances are labeled as floaters. Because they are quiet and do not get involved in the drama, they are often times overlooked when it comes to making nominations.
Or, other times, they will be used as a pawn to get a big threat out of the game. There have been some floaters that have made it all the way to the end of the game, and that is a position themselves in a nice spot in the Big Brother house by staying out of all of the major drama.
10Comp Beast
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It is both a blessing and a curse to be a comp beast in the Big Brother game. A comp beast is a player that excels in nearly every competition, whether it be physical or mental. Because they are so good at the competitions, these players typically win a majority of the power week after week.
Unfortunately for them, this also makes them a large target in the game, especially if they return for a second season of the game. The comp beast may be one of the strongest players in the game, but that doesn't mean that they will have the easiest ticket to the finale.
11Pawn
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When a floater, or any player, is used as a pawn, it means that even though they are being nominated, they are not the target. Although this initially sounds reassuring, there is a saying that has evolved over the many seasons of Big Brother that says, "The pawns always go home."
This is because often times, although the player is initially intended to be a pawn, other houseguests find reasons as to why it would be more beneficial to evict them instead of the initial target, resulting in their eviction. In short, although it seems like it's good to be a pawn, it can be deciving, as they very well may be signing their own one-way ticket out of the Big Brother house.
12HOH
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HOH is the abbreviation for Head of Household. This is the player that controls the power in the game each week. They are also responsible for naming the two nominees as well as any potential replacement nominees. This is the most powerful position in the game each week.
Not only does the HoH have the ability to control the game, they also are given luxuries other players are not granted. They include sleeping in the HoH room with their own private bathroom and receiving a care package of snacks, treats, and letter from home. This is the most sought after position in the game.
13POV
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POV is the abbreviation for Power of Veto. The POV is the opportunity to earn safety if you are nominated for eviction or give safety to a player who has the potential to go home. Next to the HOH, this is the second most sought after power each week.
The Power of Veto is won during the second competition of the week and can be used to take one of the nominees off the block. The winner of the power can not be used as a replacement nominee, making these competitions a must-watch from week-to-week. Most of the time, if the winner of the POV is nominated for eviction, they should remove themselves from the block. Sometimes, it's a risk to not use it on yourself.
14Zingbot
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Zingbot is one of the most iconic Big Brother competitions. The main part of the competition is a robot named Zingbot. Zingbot first made its appearance during season 12, and every season since, the robot breaks into the Big Brother house to pay the houseguests a visit.
During his visit, Zingbot "zings", or makes fun of, each of the remaining houseguests. Then, following his zings, a Power of Veto competition will take place, hosted by Zingbot himself. The Zingbot is an essential part of the reality spectacle that is Big Brother, and viewers simply can't get enough of this sassy robot.
15Dairy Room
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On most reality television shows, whether it's on a competition show or docufollow series, the personalities are seen discussing their game and sharing their thoughts they don't want to say to others. Oftentimes called confessional or talking heads, these moments bring insight into the action. On Big Brother, since the show is played in real time, the Houseguests go to the Dairy Room to conduct their interview.
An unseen producer via audio will ask the Houseguests various questions through the safety of the Diary Room, where no other play can hear. This is their opportunity to let out what they need to let out. This is also the place where they will place their vote to evict on eviction night. Oh, and compliment Julie Chen Moonves every Thursday night.
16Jury
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When it comes to Big Brother, there are essentially two stages to the game. Pre-jury and the jury phase. The Jury is the Houseguests that are evicted who will determine the winner of the season. The members of the Jury do not return to their lives after eviction. They are sequestered before they ultimately return to cast their vote as to who they want to see win the game on finale night.
The members of the Jury live in the Jury House, which is often a refitted mansion. They are still cut off from the outside world, but they do have upgraded amenities, including movies, games, and a pool. Over the course of the latter part of the season, viewers often get segments from the jury house when they learn who was the most recently evicted Houseguest, learning of the action they missed. This is where jury management is crucial and why you can never "piss off the jury." Especially when they have the power to ask the finalists a question on finale night.
17Superfan
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There was a period of the program when house was filled with recruits, or players who didn't know much, if anything, about the game of Big Brother. But often times, the show would cast a superfan archetype who essentially represent the fans of the show. A superfan is seen as a player who has immense knowledge of the game of Big Brother. They know the history inside and out. They know the myths and lore. And they know how to game.
A superfan often tries to keep their identity a secret to the other players as it could immediately put a target on their back. But to the viewers, they are very keen to share their status and hope to win them over in the process. Having knowledge about the game can be a great advantage in Big Brother, but if you don't play your cards right, a suprfan has no chance of winning.
18Live Feeds
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Many superfans of Big Brother who watch the show from the comfort of their own home often not only watch the televised show, they live and breathe the Big Brother Live Feeds. The Live Feeds give viewers the opportunity to watch the action of the house in real-time. The Live Feeds give unfiltered insight into the drama, romances, and silly antics that don't always make it onto the show.
What could be a nine-minute monologue ranting about another player only gets a certain amount of screen time when it makes it to air. But viewers of the Live Feeds have the opportunity to see it in all its glory! For Season 26, many Live Feeders are not thrilled that they don't have the option to rewind the feeds as they have in the past, but thankfully the world of social media has them covered!
19Eviction
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The only way to win Big Brother is to not get evicted. So what is an eviction? Exactly what it sounds like. An eviction is when a Houseguest is voted out of the Big Brother house. Each week, two players are on the block and up for potential eviction. They will then have the chance to plead their case before their fellow Houseguests vote to evict.
When a player is evicted, most of the time, their time in Big Brother is over. In the pre-jury phase, the evicted Houseguest often returns back to their lives. In the jury phase, they are sent to the jury house. Sometimes, there will be a major twist in the game that allows the evicted players to return to the game in a battle-back challenge. Who doesn't love a second chance!
Season 26 of Big Brother can be streamed on Paramount +.
