Are you a friend of Bill?
By NJ Chicaa
@NJChicaa (127104)
United States
June 5, 2026 9:17am CST
I heard this phrase last month while on my spa retreat and had no idea what it meant. (I was in residential rehab) It is a code for members of Alcoholics Anonymous to ask if they are in the club. Bill refers to Bill Wilson who was one of the co-founders of AA.
I was googling it the other day and found a thread on Reddit (I think) that asked about it. Apparently airports are huge triggers for some people who are trying not to drink. Someone said that they heard a request for a "friend of Bill" to report to a gate twice in like a month. It is a way for flight crew to ask for support for someone who is struggling. I think that is pretty cool.
8 people like this
7 responses
@Traceyjayne (11176)
• United Kingdom
7h
I have not heard that before ….and I wouldn’t know what it meant even if I had heard it ….until now. It’s good that there are codes for people asking for help …..sometimes people can’t bring themselves to say actual words …..
2 people like this
@Traceyjayne (11176)
• United Kingdom
7h
@NJChicaa yes, very true ….
We have a thing here in pubs etc …..” Ask for Angela “ …..so if a date is making you feel uncomfortable in some way you say that to the bar staff and they help you leave safely.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43507)
• Denver, Colorado
7h
I've read the book. I thought it was interesting.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86440)
• United States
5h
John Larroquette, I think in his second Emmy award speech, began, “I’d like to thank God and Bill W. for teaching me how to live.”
1 person likes this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (18019)
• Torrington, Connecticut
7h
That actually is pretty cool. “Friend of Bill” is one of those phrases you could hear and never guess the meaning unless someone explains it to you.
2 people like this
