The Use and Meaning of Internet Slang: Abbreviations and Acronyms

If you are a regular internet user you will no doubt have encountered various internet slang on forums, chat rooms, emails, blogs and instant messaging that use acronyms and some fancy abbreviations to bring across certain messages. Internet slang is a very casual speech in writing that uses certain words, phrases or expressions in the form of abbreviations to convey a message which may be vivid and concise, sarcastic, racy, humorous or even vulgar in meaning. Internet slang consists of a word formed from the initial letter or letters of a series of words in a phrase. This means it is an abbreviation of the first letters of a phrase or a long phrase that may form a word which may also convey a message. However, most of the internet slang are not actually acronyms since they don’t form a word which can be pronounced.

Internet slang originated with the purpose of saving keystrokes and thus time. It uses common words or phrases that helps one to keep their message concise and to the point. In electronic communication this method of writing shorthand dramatically short-cuts various common words and phrases in text messaging using the cell phone. Also, the popular communication platform of instant messaging services such as AOL, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo and others have allowed this internet language of slang using acronyms and abbreviations by internet users to develop and spread rapidly over the years. This internet language developed by internet users over the years is very popular and needless to say quite is frequent in emails, forums, text messaging and chat rooms which is typically the environment (community) it is used in, and brevity of communication has a high place value. Internet slang is usually often written in lower case letters with capitals letters reserved for emphasis.

Internet slang is considered unsuitable for formal communication. They can be annoying and unprofessional in formal settings. They should therefore be used conservatively and in the right or appropriate setting such as amongst your friends and other similar groups.

Parents can find the meaning of internet slang helpful when monitoring their kids on the internet. Internet slang is a common language that is also used by many kids and teens to chat online. To the untrained eye internet slang may be difficult to interpret or decipher. Now however, you can know the meaning behinds these acronyms (slang) and word abbreviations. Your child might even be surprised that you know some of these “secret meanings” behind some of these internet slang.

The list below is by no means a comprehensive list but it should however help you to decipher many common internet slang thus, clarifying the meaning behind the acronyms (slang) and word abbreviations that you will come across on; blogs, forums, email, chat rooms and instant message.

A
AAMOF	as a matter of fact
ABFL	a big fat lady
ABT	about
ADN	any day now
AFAIC	as far as I'm concerned
AFAICT	as far as I can tell
AFAICS	as far as I can see
AFAIK	as far as I know
AFAYC	as far as you're concerned
AFK	away from keyboard
AISI	as I see it
AIUI	as I understand it
AKA	also known as
AML	all my love
ANFSCD	and now for something completely different
ASAP	as soon as possible
ASL	assistant section leader
ASL	age, sex, location
ASLP	age, sex, location, picture
A/S/L	age/sex/location
ASOP	assistant system operator
ATM	at this moment
AWA	as well as
AWHFY	are we having fun yet?
AWGTHTGTTA	are we going to have to go trough this again?
AWOL	absent without leave
AWOL	away without leave
AYOR	at your own risk
AYPI?	and your point is?
B
B4	before
B4N	bye for now
BAC	back at computer
BAG	busting a gut
BAK	back at the keyboard
BBIAB	be back in a bit
BBL	be back later
BBLBNTSBO...	be back later but not to soon because of...
BBR	burnt beyond repair
BBS	be back soon
BBS	bulletin board system
BC	be cool
B/C	because
BCnU	be seeing you
BEG	big evil grin
BF	boyfriend
B/F	boyfriend
BFN	bye for now
BG	big grin
BIH	Burn In Hell
BION	believe it or not
BIOYIOB	blow it out your I/O port
BITMT	but in the meantime
BM	bite me
BMB	bite my bum
BMTIPG	brilliant minds think in parallel gutters
BKA	better known as
BL	belly laughing
BOB	back off bastard
BOL	be on later
BOM	bitch of mine
BOT	back on topic
BRB	be right back
BRBB	be right back *****
BRBS	be right back soon
BRH	be right here
BRS	big red switch
BS	big smile
BS	bull ****
BSF	but seriously folks
BST	but seriously though
BTA	but then again
BTAIM	be that as it may
BTDT	been there done that
BTOBD	be there or be dead
BTOBS	be there or be square
BTSOOM	beats the **** out of me
BTW	by the way
BUDWEISER	because you deserve what every individual should ever receive
BWQ	buzz word quotient
BWTHDIK	but what the heck do I know
BYOB	bring your own bottle
BYOH	Bat You Onna Head
B&	Banned
C
C&G	chuckle and grin
CAD	ctrl-alt-delete
CADET	can't add, doesn't even try
CDIWY	couldn't do it without you
CD9	code 9 - parents are around
CFV	call for votes
CFS	care for secret?
CFY	calling for you
CID	crying in disgrace
CLM	career limiting move
CM@TW	catch me at the web
CMIIW	correct me if I'm wrong
CNP	continue in next post
CO	conference
CRAFT	can't remember a ******* thing
CRS	can't remember ****
CSG	chuckle snicker grin
CTS	changing the subject
CU	see you
CU2	see you too
CUL	see you later
CUL8R	see you later
CWOT	complete waste of time
CWYL	chat with you later
CYA	see ya
CYA	cover your ***
CYAL8R	see ya later
CYO	see you online
D
DBA	doing business as
DCed	disconnected
DFLA	disenhanced four-letter acronym
DH	darling husband
DIIK	darn if i know
DGA	digital guardian angel
DGARA	don't give a rats ***
DIKU	do I know you?
DIRTFT	do it right the first time
DITYID	did I tell you I'm distressed
DIY	do it yourself
DL	download
DL	dead link
DLTBBB	don't let the bed bugs bite
DMMGH	don't make me get hostile
DQMOT	don't quote me on this
DND	do not disturb
DTC	darn this computer
DTRT	do the right thing
DUCT	did you see that?
DWAI	don't worry about it
DWIM	do what I mean
DWIMC	do what I mean, correctly
DWISNWID	do what I say, not what I do
DYJHIW	don't you just hate it when...
DYK	do you know
E
EAK	eating at keyboard
EIE	enough is enough
EG	evil grin
EMFBI	excuse me for butting in
EMFJI	excuse me for jumping in
EMSG	email message
EOD	end of discussion
EOF	end of file
EOL	end of lecture
EOM	end of message
EOS	end of story
EOT	end of thread
ETLA	extended three letter acronym
EYC	excitable, yet calm
F
F	female
F/F	face to face
F2F	face to face
FAQ	frequently asked questions
FAWC	for anyone who cares
FBOW	for better or worse
FBTW	fine, be that way
FCFS	first come, first served
FCOL	for crying out loud
FIFO	first in, first out
FISH	first in, still here
FLA	four-letter acronym
FOAD	**** off and die
FOAF	friend of a friend
FOB	**** off *****
FOC	free of charge
FOCL	falling of chair laughing
FOFL	falling on the floor laughing
FOS	freedom of speech
FOTCL	falling of the chair laughing
FTF	face to face
FTTT	from time to time
FU	****** up
FUBAR	****** up beyond all recognition
FUDFUCT	fear, uncertainty and doubt
FUCT	failed under continuous testing
FURTB	full up ready to burst (about hard disk drives)
FW	freeware
FWIW	for what it's worth
FYA	for your amusement
FYEO	for your eyes only
FYE	for your entertainment
FYEO	for your eyes only
FYI	for your information
G
G	grin
G2B	going to bed
G&BIT	grin & bear it
G2G	got to go
G2GGS2D	got to go get something to drink
G2GTAC	got to go take a crap
G2GTAP	got to go take a pee
GA	go ahead
GA	good afternoon
GAFIA	get away from it all
GAL	get a life
GAS	greetings and salutations
GBH	great big hug
GBH&K	great big huh and kisses
GBR	garbled beyond recovery
GBY	god bless you
GD&H	grinning, ducking and hiding
GD&R	grinning, ducking and running
GD&RAFAP	grinning, ducking and running as fast as possible
GD&REF&F	grinning, ducking and running even further and faster
GD&RF	grinning, ducking and running fast
GD&RVF	grinning, ducking and running very
GD&W	grin, duck and wave
GDW	grin, duck and wave
GE	good evening
GF	girlfriend
GFETE	grinning from ear to ear
GFN	gone for now
GFU	good for you
GG	good game
GGU2	good game you too
GIGO	garbage in garbage out
GJ	good job
GL	good luck
GL&GH	good luck and good hunting
GM	good morning / good move / good match
GMAB	give me a break
GMAO	giggling my *** off
GMBO	giggling my butt off
GNBLFY	got nothing but love for you
GMTA	great minds think alike
GN	good night
GNOC	get naked on cam (webcam)
GOK	god only knows
GOWI	get on with it
GPF	general protection fault
GR8	great
GR&D	grinning, running and ducking
GtG	got to go
GTSY	glad to see you
H
H	hug
H8	Hate (H1 - H9 indicating levels of hate)
H/O	hold on
H&K	hug and kiss
HAK	hug and kiss
HAGD	have a good day
HAGN	have a good night
HAGS	have a good summer
HAG1	have a good one
HAHA	having a heart attack
HAND	have a nice day
HB	hug back
HB	hurry back
HDYWTDT	how do you work this darn thing
HF	have fun
HH	holding hands
HHIS	hanging head in shame
HHJK	ha ha, just kidding
HHOJ	ha ha, only joking
HHOK	ha ha, only kidding
HHOS	ha ha, only seriously
HIH	hope it helps
HILIACACLO	help I lapsed into a coma and can't log off
HIWTH	hate it when that happens
HLM	he loves me
HMS	home made smiley
HMS	hanging myself
HMT	here's my try
HMWK	homework
HOAS	hold on a second
HSIK	how should i know
HSWM	have sx with me
HTH	hope this helps
HTHBE	hope this has been enlightening
HYLMS	hate you like my sister
I
IAAA	I am an accountant
IAAL	I am a lawyer
IAC	in any case
IC	I see
IAE	in any event
IAG	it's all good
IAG	I am gay
IAIM	in an Irish minute
IANAA	I am not an accountant
IANAL	I am not a lawyer
IBN	I'm buck naked
ICOCBW	I could of course be wrong
IDC	I don't care
IDGI	I don't get it
IDGARA	I don't give a rat's ***
IDGW	in a good way
IDI	I doubt it
IDK	I don't know
IDTT	I'll drink to that
IFVB	I feel very bad
IGP	I gotta pee
IGTP	I get the point
IHTFP	I hate this ******* place
IHTFP	I have truly found paradise
IHU	I hate you
IHY	I hate you
II	I'm impressed
IIT	I'm impressed too
IIR	if I recall
IIRC	if I recall correctly
IJWTK	I just want to know
IJWTS	I just want to say
IK	I know
IKWUM	I know what you mean
ILBCNU	I'll be seeing you
ILU	I love you
ILY	I love you
ILYFAE	I love you forever and ever
IMAO	in my arrogant opinion
IMFAO	in my ******* arrogant opinion
IMBO	in my bloody opinion
IMCO	in my considered opinion
IME	in my experience
IMHO	in my humble opinion
IMNSHO	in my, not so humble opinion
IMO	in my opinion
IMOBO	in my own biased opinion
IMPOV	in my point of view
IMP	I might be pregnant
INAL	I'm not a lawyer
INPO	in no particular order
IOIT	I'm on Irish Time
IOW	in other words
IRL	in real life
IRMFI	I reply merely for information
IRSTBO	it really sucks the big one
IS	I'm sorry
ISTM	it seems to me
ISTR	I seem to recall
ISWYM	I see what you mean
ITFA	in the final analysis
ITRO	in the reality of
ITRW	in the real world
ITSFWI	if the shoe fits, wear it
IVL	in virtual live
IWALY	I will always love you
IWBNI	it would be nice if
IYKWIM	if you know what I mean
IYSWIM	if you see what I mean
J
JAM	just a minute
JAS	just a second
JASE	just another system error
JAWS	just another windows shell
JIC	just in case
JJWY	just joking with you
JK	just kidding
J/K	just kidding
JMHO	just my humble opinion
JMO	just my opinion
JP	just playing
J/P	just playing
JTLYK	just to let you know
JW	just wondering
K
K	OK
K	kiss
KHYF	know how you feel
KB	kiss back
KISS	keep it simple sister
KIS(S)	keep it simple (stupid)
KISS	keeping it sweetly simple
KIT	keep in touch
KMA	kiss my ass
KMB	kiss my butt
KMSMA	kiss my shiny metal ass
KOTC	kiss on the cheek
KOTL	kiss on the lips
KPC	keeping parents clueless
KUTGW	keep up the good work
KWIM	know what I mean?
L
L	laugh
L8R	later
L8R G8R	later gator
LAB	life's a *****
LAM	leave a message
LBR	little boys room
LD	long distance
LG	lovely greetings
LGBNAF	let's get butt nkd and f---
LGR	little girls room
LHM	Lord help me
LHU	Lord help us
LL&P	live long & prosper
LNK	love and kisses
LMA	leave me alone
LMABO	laughing my *** back on
LMAO	laughing my *** off
LMBO	laughing my butt off
LMHO	laughing my head off
LMIRL	let's meet in real life
LMFAO	laughing my fat *** off
LMK	let me know
LOL	laughing out loud
LOL	lots of love
LOL	lots of luck
LOLA	laughing out loud again
LOML	light of my life (or love of my life)
LOMLILY	light of my life, I love you
LOOL	laughing out outrageously loud
LSHIPMP	laughing so hard I peed my pants
LSHMBB	laughing so hard my belly is bouncing
LSHMBH	laughing so hard my belly hurts
LTNS	long time no see
LTR	long term relationship
LTS	laughing to self
LULAS	love you like a sister
LUWAMH	love you with all my heart
LY	love ya
LYK	let you know
LYL	love ya lots
LYLAB	love ya like a brother
LYLAS	love ya like a sister
M
M	male
MB	maybe
MILF	mother I'd like to ****
MYOB	mind your own business
MWBRL	More Will Be Revealed Later
M8	mate
N
N	in
N2M	not too much
N/C	not cool
NALOPKT	not a lot of people know that
NE1	anyone
NETUA	nobody ever tells us anything
NFI	no ******* idea
NIFOC	Nude In Front Of Computer
NL	not likely
NM	never mind / nothing much
N/M	never mind / nothing much
NMH	not much here
NMJC	nothing much, just chillin'
NOM	no offense meant
NOTTOMH	not of the top of my mind
NOYB	none of your business
NOYFB	none of your ******* business
NP	no problem
NTA	non-technical acronym
N/S	no ****
NVM	nevermind
O
OBTW	oh, by the way
OIC	oh, I see
OF	on fire
OFIS	on floor with stitches
OK	abbreviation of oll korrect (all correct)
OL	old lady (wife, girlfriend)
OLL	on-line love
OM	old man (husband, boyfriend)
OMG	oh my god / gosh / goodness
OOC	out of character
OT	Off topic / other topic
OTOH	on the other hand
OTP	on the phone
OTTOMH	off the top of my head
P
PAW	parents are watching
PDS	please don't shoot
PDOMA	pulled directly out of my ***
PEBCAK	problem exists between chair and keyboard
PLZ	please
PM	private message
PMJI	pardon my jumping in (Another way for PMFJI)
PMFJI	pardon me for jumping in
PMP	peed my pants
POAHF	put on a happy face
POOF	I have left the chat
pornado	large amount of pornographic content
POTB	pats on the back
POS	parents over shoulder
POTS	parents over the shoulder - (My parents are watching, I can't really talk)
PPL	people
PS	post script
PSA	public show of affection
P911	parent emergency
Q
Q4U	question for you
QSL	reply
QSO	conversation
QT	cutie
R
RAT	remote(ly) activated Trojan
RCed	reconnected
RE	hi again (same as re's)
RIHAD	rot in h--- and die
ROFL	rolling on floor laughing
ROFLAPMP	rolling on floor laughing and peed my pants
ROFLMAO	rolling on floor laughing my *** off
ROFLOLAY	rolling on floor laughing out loud at you
ROFLOLTSDMC	rolling on floor laughing out loud tears streaming down my cheeks
ROFLOLWTIME	rolling on floor laughing out loud with tears in my eyes
ROFLOLUTS	rolling on floor laughing out loud unable to speak
ROTFL	rolling on the floor laughing
RTF	read the FAQ
RTF	read the FAQ
RTM	read the manual
RTSM	read the stupid manual
RUMOF	are you male or female
RUTTM	are you talking to me
RUUP4IT	are you up for it?
RVD	really very dumb
S
S2R	send to receive
SAMAGAL	stop annoying me and get a live
SCNR	sorry, could not resist
SETE	smiling ear to ear
SH	so hot
SH	same here
SHICPMP	so happy I could pee my pants
SHID	slaps head in disgust
SHMILY	see how much I love you
SNAFU	situation normal, all ****** up
SO	significant other
SOHF	sense of humor failure
SOMY	sick of me yet?
SPAM	stupid persons' advertisement
SRY	sorry
SSDD	same **** different day
STBY	sucks to be you
STFU	shut the **** up
STW	search the web
sugarpic	Suggestive or erotic picture of self
SWAK	sealed with a kiss
SWALK	sweet, with all love, kisses
SWL	screaming with laughter
SIM	sh*t, it's Monday
SITWB	sorry, in the wrong box
S/U	shut up
SYS	see you soon
SYSOP	system operator
T
TA	thanks again
TAW	teachers are watching
TCO	taken care of
TGIF	thank god its Friday
THTH	to hot to handle
THX	thanks
TIA	thanks in advance
TIIC	the idiots in charge
TJM	that's just me
TLA	three-letter acronym
TMA	take my advice
TMI	to much information
TMS	to much showing
TNSTAAFL	there's no such thing as a free lunch
TNX	thanks
TOH	to other half
TOY	thinking of you
TPTB	the powers that be
TSDMC	tears streaming down my cheeks
TT2T	to tired to talk
TTFN	ta ta for now
TTT	thought that, too
TTUL	talk to you later
TTYIAM	talk to you in a minute
TTYL	talk to you later
TTYLMF	talk to you later my friend
TU	thank you
TWMA	till we meet again
TX	thanx
TY	thank you
TYVM	thank you very much
U
U2	you too
UAPITA	you're a pain in the ***
U IZ A	you is a hoe
UMFRIEND	'intimate' partner
UR	your
UW	you're welcome
URAQT!	you are a cutie!
V
VBG	very big grin
VBS	very big smile
W
W8	wait
W8AM	wait a minute
WAY	what about you
WAY	who are you
WB	welcome back
WBS	write back soon
WDHLM	why doesn't he love me
WDYWTTA	What Do You Want To Talk About
WE	whatever
W/E	whatever
WFM	works for me
WNDITWB	we never did it this way before
WP	wrong person
WRT	with respect to
WTF	what/who the ****?
WTG	way to go
WTGP	want to go private?
WTH	what/who the heck?
WTMI	way to much information
WU	what's up?
WUD	what's up dog?
WUF	where are you from?
WUWT	whats up with that
WYCM?	will you call me?
WYMM	will you marry me?
WYRN	What’s Your Real Name?
WYSIWYG	what you see is what you get
X
XTLA	extended three letter acronym
Y
Y	why?
Y2K	you're too kind
YATB	you are the best
YBS	you'll be sorry
YG	young gentleman
YHBBYBD	you'd have better bet your bottom dollar
YKYWTKM	you know you want to kiss me
YL	young lady
YL	you 'll live
YM	you mean
YM	young man
YMMD	you've made my day
YMMV	your mileage may vary
YVM	you're very welcom
YW	you're welcome
YWIA	you're welcome in advance
YWTHM	you want to hug me
YWTLM	you want to love me
YWTKM	you want to kiss me
YOYO	you're on your own
YY4U	two wise for you
Z
ZZZ	sleeping, bored, tired

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