Bad
Bad or BAD may refer to common linguistic meanings, various acronyms, entries in arts and entertainment (including films, television, music performers, albums, songs), places (particularly in Germany and elsewhere), transport (such as ships), and other uses in science, technology, and miscellaneous contexts. For detailed senses, see the relevant sections below.Language
Common meanings
In English, "bad" functions primarily as an adjective denoting inferiority or inadequacy in quality, such as something below standard or poor, unfavorable, or spoiled and rotten.[1] It also conveys moral defectiveness, describing actions or individuals as wicked, evil, or vicious.[1] These core senses emerged in Middle English around the 13th century as "badde," replacing earlier terms like "evil" as the standard opposite of "good" by about 1700.[2] A related usage pertains to physical or emotional condition, where "bad" indicates illness, pain, distress, or unhealthiness, as in feeling bad after an illness or having bad health.[1] The word's etymology remains obscure but is likely linked to Old English bæddel, an unattested term inferred from bædling meaning "effeminate man," "hermaphrodite," or "pederast," derived from bædan ("to defile"); this suggests early connotations of moral or social corruption flourishing in vulgar speech before literary adoption.[2] In slang, particularly within African American Vernacular English (AAVE), "bad" ironically signifies excellence, skill, toughness, or admirability, as in "that's bad" meaning impressive or superior.[3] This reversal originated in 19th-century Black American speech, with the Oxford English Dictionary citing an 1890 example of "bad" praising a tough individual, and it spread through West African linguistic influences where "bad" could denote intensity or goodness.[4] The usage gained traction in 1920s jazz subculture among Black musicians, who repurposed it to affirm style and prowess amid marginalization, evolving further in blues and hip-hop.[5] By the 1980s, it permeated mainstream pop culture, notably through Michael Jackson's 1987 album and song "Bad," which celebrated bold confidence.[6] "Bad" appears in several idiomatic expressions unique to English. "Bad blood" refers to enmity or lasting resentment between people or groups, rooted in 17th-century notions of "breeding bad blood" to incite hard feelings, as in medical and folk beliefs linking blood to emotions and temperament.[7] Similarly, "in a bad way" describes being in poor health, serious trouble, or a dire state, a 19th-century development emphasizing vulnerability tied to the word's core sense of defect or distress, without direct Old English attestation beyond the root bæddel.Acronyms
The acronym BAD refers to several organizations, technical terms, and historical abbreviations across various fields. In medicine, BAD stands for the British Association of Dermatologists, a professional membership organization founded in 1920 to advance the practice, teaching, training, and research of dermatology in the United Kingdom.[8] It represents over 2,400 dermatologists and produces clinical guidelines, patient information resources, and hosts annual meetings to promote skin health standards.[8] In molecular biology, BAD denotes Bcl-2-associated death promoter, a pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein in the Bcl-2 family that promotes cell death by binding to and inhibiting anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Bcl-W.[9] This interaction displaces pro-survival factors, lowering the threshold for apoptosis in response to cellular stress signals such as growth factor deprivation.[10] BAD is encoded by the BAD gene on human chromosome 11 and plays a key role in regulating mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization during programmed cell death.[11] Historically in military contexts, BAD abbreviates Base Ammunition Depot, a logistical facility used by the British Army during World War II to store and distribute ammunition supplies near operational areas.[12] These depots, such as those established in France from 1939 to 1940 under the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, supported frontline units by managing munitions stockpiles and ensuring rapid resupply amid combat demands.[13] The term persisted in post-war military usage, including in Commonwealth forces.Arts and entertainment
Films
Bad (1987 short film) The short film Bad, released in 1987, is an 18-minute music video directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Michael Jackson as a young man named Darryl who returns to his tough New York neighborhood after attending a private school, only to face pressure from old friends to join a criminal act.[14] The narrative explores themes of urban violence, peer pressure, and identity, with Jackson portraying a vigilante-like figure defending against antagonists including a young Wesley Snipes.[15] Produced as part of the promotion for Jackson's album Bad, the film premiered on CBS in a prime-time special and was nominated for MTV awards, blending crime drama elements with choreography.[16] Land of Bad (2024) Land of Bad is a 2024 American action thriller directed by William Eubank, who co-wrote the screenplay with David Frigerio.[17] The film follows a U.S. Air Force drone pilot, Captain Eddie "Reaper" Grimm (Russell Crowe), who provides remote support to a Delta Force team led by Sergeant JJ Kinney (Liam Hemsworth) during a high-risk extraction mission in the Philippines that goes awry, leading to intense survival scenarios amid enemy territory.[18] Featuring supporting performances by Luke Hemsworth, Milo Ventimiglia, and Ricky Whittle, it emphasizes modern warfare's reliance on technology and the psychological toll on operators, grossing over $6 million worldwide at the box office upon its February theatrical release.[19] Critics noted its tense pacing and Crowe's commanding presence, though some critiqued the formulaic plot.[20] Bad Man (2025) Bad Man, a 2025 American action comedy directed by Michael Diliberti, stars Seann William Scott as Bobby Gaines, a bumbling deputy in rural Tennessee who teams up with a fugitive (Johnny Simmons) to dismantle a local meth operation after a drug-related murder disrupts their small town.[21] Co-written by Diliberti and JJ Nelson, the film incorporates buddy-cop tropes with Southern humor, featuring a supporting cast including Ethan Suplee, Rob Riggle, and Leighton Meester, and was released in theaters in September 2025 by Vertical Entertainment.[22] It highlights themes of mistaken identity and unlikely alliances, with Scott's comedic timing drawing comparisons to his American Pie roles, though reviews were mixed on its execution and stereotypical elements.[23]Television
Breaking Bad is an American crime drama television series created by Vince Gilligan that premiered on AMC on January 20, 2008, and concluded on September 29, 2013, after five seasons and 62 episodes. The series stars Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with terminal lung cancer who turns to manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine with his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) to provide for his family. Widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time, it received universal acclaim for its writing, direction, acting, and cinematography, winning 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, including two for Outstanding Drama Series.[24] Bad Sisters is an Irish black comedy crime drama series created by Sharon Horgan, Dave Finkel, and Brett Baer, based on the Belgian series Clan. It premiered on Apple TV+ on August 19, 2022, with the first season consisting of 10 episodes. The show follows four sisters—Eva (Sharon Horgan), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene), and Becka (Eve Hewson)—who become suspects in the death of their abusive brother-in-law John Paul (Paul Ready). The series explores themes of female solidarity and revenge, earning praise for its sharp writing and ensemble performances, and was renewed for a second season in December 2023. Season 2 premiered on November 13, 2024.[25] Bad Education is a British sitcom created and written by Jack Whitehall, which aired on BBC Three from 2012 to 2014 for three seasons before a revival on BBC iPlayer in 2022. Whitehall stars as Alfie Wickers, an immature and inept teacher at the fictional Abbey Grove School, navigating the chaos of teaching a class of unruly students. The series is known for its crude humor and satirical take on the British education system, with the 2022 special achieving high viewership on the streaming platform.[26] Bad and Crazy is a South Korean action crime thriller series directed by Yoo Sun-dong, starring Lee Dong-wook as Ryu Soo-yeol, a corrupt prosecutor whose life is disrupted by the emergence of a vigilante alter ego named K. It aired on tvN from December 18, 2021, to January 8, 2022, for 12 episodes and was later released internationally on Netflix. The series blends high-octane action with themes of justice and morality, receiving positive reviews for its dynamic plot and performances, and topping ratings in its time slot.[27] Bad Monkey is an American black comedy crime drama series created by Bill Lawrence, based on Carl Hiaasen's 2013 novel. It premiered on Apple TV+ on August 14, 2024, with 10 episodes in its first season, starring Vince Vaughn as Andrew Yancy, a demoted Miami cop turned food inspector investigating a severed arm found in the Florida Keys. The show features a ensemble cast including Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Rob Delaney, and was renewed for a second season in December 2024 for its witty script and tropical setting.[28] Several television episodes bear the title "Bad," often serving as pivotal moments in their respective series. In The Good Wife (season 1, episode 13, aired February 2, 2010), written by Ted Humphrey and directed by Alex Zakrzewski, Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) defends a man acquitted of murdering his wife in a civil suit amid her husband Peter's political scandal trial, highlighting ethical dilemmas in the legal system.[29] The Bad (2014– ) is an American web series created by Jordan C. Hunt, consisting of short comedic episodes following a hapless garage band of oblivious musicians struggling to achieve success. Released on platforms like YouTube, it ran for one season of six episodes, praised for its absurd humor and low-budget charm.[30] As of November 2025, no major animated series titled simply "Bad" has emerged as notably prominent on streaming platforms, though short-form satirical content exploring themes of poor decision-making appears sporadically on YouTube, often in anthology formats without widespread critical recognition.Music
Performers
Bad Meets Evil is an American hip-hop duo composed of rappers Eminem and Royce da 5'9". Formed in 1997, the group gained initial recognition through their appearance on Eminem's 1999 Slim Shady LP track "Bad Meets Evil," which showcased their dark, aggressive lyrical style influenced by Detroit's underground scene. The duo reunited in 2010, releasing the EP Hell: The Sequel in 2011, which topped the US Billboard 200 chart and featured collaborations with artists like Bruno Mars and Slaughterhouse, selling over 170,000 copies in its first week. Their partnership emphasizes intricate wordplay and storytelling, with Royce da 5'9" (real name Ryan Daniel Montgomery) bringing technical precision to complement Eminem's (Marshall Mathers) mainstream appeal, though they have remained sporadic collaborators since the EP's success. Bad Azz was an American rapper known for his contributions to West Coast gangsta rap. Born Jamarr Antonio Stamps on November 27, 1975, in Fresno, California, he rose to prominence as a member of the LBC Crew and through associations with Snoop Dogg and Daz Dillinger. His debut solo album, Word on tha Streets, released in 1998 on Priority Records, peaked at number 56 on the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and featured production from DJ Battlecat, blending G-funk beats with street narratives on tracks like "A Doggz Day Afternoon." Bad Azz released several subsequent albums, including The Lost Tapes (2019), before his death on November 11, 2019, at age 43 while in custody in Murrieta, California.Albums
Bad is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released on August 31, 1987, by Epic Records. Written and recorded from 1985 to 1987, it marked Jackson's third and final collaboration with producer Quincy Jones and served as a follow-up to the record-breaking Thriller (1982). The album features a mix of pop, R&B, and funk tracks, emphasizing Jackson's vocal range and dance-oriented style, with contributions from guest artists like Stevie Wonder and Siedah Garrett.[31] The standard edition of Bad contains 11 tracks:- "Bad"
- "The Way You Make Me Feel"
- "Speed Demon"
- "Liberian Girl"
- "Just Good Friends" (featuring Stevie Wonder)
- "Another Part of Me"
- "Man in the Mirror"
- "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" (duet with Siedah Garrett)
- "Dirty Diana"
- "Smooth Criminal"
- "Leave Me Alone"[31]
- "Bad as I Wanna B"
- "Have U Ever"
- "Everyday"
- "Cold Rock a Party" (featuring Missy Elliott)
- "TRG (The Rap Game)"
- "One on One"
- "Two Seater"
- "I Can't Make It"
- "Keep On, Keepin' On" (featuring Xscape)
- "Mica's Story"
- "Can We Chill?"[34]