BBQ is an abbreviation of the word “barbecue.” Depending on what part of the world you're in, you might also see that BBQ stands for “barbeque,” “barb-cue,” or “bar-b-que.”

While the wide variety of barbecue styles makes it difficult to break them down into regions, there are four major styles commonly referenced, North Carolina and Memphis, which rely on pork and represent the oldest styles, and Kansas City and Texas, which use beef as well as pork, and represent the later evolution of ...

Although “barbecue” is the correct way of writing it, the word “barbeque” is used for the abbreviation BBQ. When it comes to writing the word “barbecue,” it is important to note that it is a noun, not a verb.

The Origin of 'Barbecue' The history of the word barbecue goes back to the indigenous people of North and South America, the Spanish word barbacoa was used by the Taínos who inhabited Hispaniola, Jamaica and Cuba. Barbacoa was used to describe the slow cooking of meat over an open flame.