A "body count" primarily refers to two meanings depending on the context:
- In a military or violent context, "body count" means the total number of people killed in a particular event or conflict
- In contemporary slang, especially in social and sexual contexts, "body count" refers to the number of sexual partners a person has had
. This is the most common usage today, particularly among younger people and on social media platforms like TikTok, where it often appears in challenges or discussions about sexual experience
The term originated from military jargon but has evolved to have this more intimate meaning in everyday language. It is generally understood to mean the count of sexual intercourse partners, not including other types of sexual activities
. Asking someone about their "body count" in this sense can be sensitive or considered inappropriate in many social situations
. In summary, "body count" can mean either the number of people killed or the number of sexual partners, with the latter being the prevalent modern usage in casual conversation and online culture.