Debs

Debs is a term used in English with several unrelated uses. In social contexts, it is the plural form of deb, a shortened form of debutante, describing young women presented at formal balls or society events.

Debs is also a surname. The best-known bearer is Eugene V. Debs (1855–1926), an American labor organizer and socialist leader. Debs helped establish the American Railway Union and played a central role in the Pullman Strike of 1894. He co-founded the Socialist Party of America and ran for president five times, including a campaign from prison in 1920. His work emphasized workers’ rights, civil liberties, and opposition to militarism during World War I.

In general reference, Debs may appear in historical writing as a surname or as a nickname for individuals with that surname; it is not tied to a single topic beyond its most famous bearer.