acronym

a.k.a. conversational abbreviations, acronyms, abbreviation, alphabetism, initialism,

shorthand, text message shorthand, text messaging shorthand
Derived from the first letters of a phrase, acronyms are meant to make the phrase easier to say
and remember. With an acronym, the first letter of each word makes up a new word that is, in
fact, pronounceable (for example, SNAFU is pronounced "sna-foo" and WOMBAT is
pronounced "wahm-bat").
Acronyms have been an integral part of computer culture, and many originated in the military
and government sectors. The use of acronyms grew rapidly on the Internet and created a new
lingo, known as shorthand. Shorthand, also known as alphabetism, is when you say the letters
one-by-one and not pronounce it as a word (for example, FYI is pronounced "F-Y-I" and BRB is
pronounced "B-R-B"), and an initialism is when you reduce a word to it's initial letter (such as v
for very).
One of the reasons why acronyms and shorthand became so popular so quickly in the online
world is because they are fun to use and because they take less time and effort to type. If you are
texting, IMing or chatting, it is often quicker and easier to type a few well-known letters than to
spell out the whole phrase. And for some millenials, it's considered kewl to communicate in a
lingo that not everyone knows (even though other generations use acronyms too ;-)
There are, of course, exceptions. For example, some acronyms go both ways (such as FAQ,
which can be pronounced "fak" or "F-A-Q"). It should also be noted that acronyms are generally
typed IN ALL CAPS (not to be confused with SHOUTING) whereas some forms or shorthand
are typed in a lowercase see some lowercase examples here.
- See more at: http://www.netlingo.com/word/acronym.php#sthash.R0KD5LQL.dpuf
Internet slang originated in the early days of the Internet with some terms predating
the Internet.[2] Internet slang is used in chat rooms, social networking services,
online games, video games and in the online community. Since 1979, users of
communications networks like Usenet created their own shorthand.
Motivations

The primary motivation for using a slang unique to the Internet is to ease communication.
However, while Internet slang shortcuts save time for the writer, they take two times as long for
the reader to understand, according to a study by the University of Tasmania.[4] On the other
hand, similar to the use of slang in traditional face-to-face speech or written language, slang on
the Internet is often a way of indicating group membership.[5]
Internet slang provides a channel which facilitates and constrains our ability to communicate in
ways that are fundamentally different from those found in other semiotic situations. Many of the
expectations and practices which we associate with spoken and written language are no longer
applicable. The Internet itself is ideal for new slang to emerge because of the richness of the
medium and the availability of information.[6] Slang is also thus motivated for the creation and
sustenance of online communities.[6] These communities in turn play a role in solidarity or
identification[1][7] or an exclusive or common cause.[8]

Crystal distinguishes among five Internet situations: The Web, email, asynchronous chat (for
example, mailing lists), synchronous chat (for example, Internet Relay Chat), and virtual worlds.
[9]
The electronic character of the channel has a fundamental influence on the language of the
medium. The options of communication for the user are constrained by the nature of the
hardware needed in order to gain Internet access. Thus, productive linguistic capacity (the type
of information that can be sent) is determined by the preassigned characters on a keyboard, and
receptive linguistic capacity (the type of information that can be seen) is determined by the size
and configuration of the screen. Additionally, both sender and receiver are constrained
linguistically by the properties of the internet software, computer hardware, and networking
hardware linking them. Electronic discourse refers to writing that is "very often reads as if it
were being spoken that is, as if the sender were writing talking".[10]
Internet slang has invited split views on its influence on the standard of language
use in non-computer-mediated communications.

Views on Internet slang

There have been ongoing debates about how the use of slang on the Internet influences language
usage outside of technology. Even though the direct causal relationship between the Internet and
language has yet to be proven by any scientific research,[20] Internet slang has invited split views
on its influence on the standard of language use in non-computer-mediated communications.
Prescriptivists tend to have the widespread belief that the Internet has a negative influence on the
future of language, and that it would lead to a degradation of standard.[9] Some would even
attribute any declination of standard formal English to the increase in usage of electronic
communication.[20] It has also been suggested that the linguistic differences between Standard
English and CMC can have implications for literacy education.[21] This is illustrated by the
widely reported example of a school essay submitted by a Scottish teenager, which contained
many abbreviations and acronyms likened to SMS language. There was great condemnation of
this style by the mass media as well as educationists, who expressed that this showed
diminishing literacy or linguistic abilities.[22]
On the other hand, descriptivists have counter-argued that the Internet allows better expressions
of a language.[20] Rather than established linguistic conventions, linguistic choices sometimes
reflect personal taste.[23] It has also been suggested that as opposed to intentionally flouting
language conventions, Internet slang is a result of a lack of motivation to monitor speech online.
[24]
Hale and Scalon describe language in Emails as being derived from "writing the way people
talk", and that there is no need to insist on 'Standard' English.[12] English users, in particular, have
an extensive tradition of etiquette guides, instead of traditional prescriptive treatises, that offer
pointers on linguistic appropriateness.[23] Using and spreading Internet slang also adds onto the
cultural currency of a language.[25] It is important to the speakers of the language due to the
foundation it provides for identifying within a group, and also for defining a persons individual

linguistic and communicative competence.[25] The result is a specialized subculture based on its
use of slang.[26]
In scholarly research, attention has, for example, been drawn to the effect of the use of Internet
slang in ethnography, and more importantly to how conversational relationships online change
structurally because slang is used.[25]
In German, there is already considerable controversy regarding the use of anglicisms outside of
CMC.[27] This situation is even more problematic within CMC, since the jargon of the medium is
dominated by English terms.[11] An extreme example of an anti-anglicisms perspective can be
observed from the chatroom rules of a Christian site,[28] which bans all anglicisms ("Das
Verwenden von Anglizismen ist strengstens untersagt!"), and also translates even fundamental
terms into German equivalents.[11]

Use beyond computer-mediated communication

Internet slang has crossed from being mediated by the computer into other non-physical
domains.[29] Here, these domains are taken to refer to any domain of interaction where
interlocutors need not be geographically proximate to one another, and where the Internet is not
used. Internet slang is now prevalent in telephony, mainly through short messages (SMS)
communication. Abbreviations and interjections, especially, have been popularized in this
medium, perhaps due to the limited character space for writing messages on mobile phones.
Another possible reason for this spread is the convenience of transferring the existing mappings
between expression and meaning into a similar space of interaction.[30]
At the same time, Internet slang has also taken a place as part of everyday offline language,
among those with digital access.[29] The nature and content of online conversation is brought
forward to direct offline communication through the telephone and direct talking, as well as
through written language, such as in writing notes or letters. In the case of interjections, such as
numerically based and abbreviated Internet slang, are not pronounced as they are written
physically or replaced by any actual action. Rather, they become lexicalized and spoken like nonslang words in a stage direction like fashion, where the actual action is not carried out but
substituted with a verbal signal. The notions of flaming and trolling have also extended outside
of the computer, and are used in the same circumstances of deliberate or unintentional
implicatures.[6]
The expansion of Internet slang has been furthered through codification and the promotion of
digital literacy. The subsequently existing and growing popularity of such references among
those online as well as offline has thus advanced Internet slang literacy and globalized it.[31]
Awareness and proficiency in manipulating Internet slang in both online and offline
communication indicates digital literacy and teaching materials have even been developed to

further this knowledge.[32] A South Korean publisher, for example, has published a textbook that
details the meaning and context of use for common Internet slang instances and is targeted at
young children who will soon be using the Internet.[33] Similarly, Internet slang has been
recommended as language teaching material in second language classrooms in order to raise
communicative competence by imparting some of the cultural value attached to a language that
is available only in slang.[34]
Meanwhile, well-known dictionaries such as the OED[35] and Merriam-Webster have been
updated with a significant and growing body of slang jargon. Besides the all too common
examples, lesser known slang and slang with a non-English etymology have also found place in
standardized linguistic references. Along with these instances, literature in user-contributed
dictionaries such as Urban Dictionary has also been added on to. Codification seems to be
qualified through frequency of use, and novel creations are often not accepted by other users of
slang.[36]
Internet slang today

Although Internet slang began as a means of opposition to mainstream language, its popularity
with todays globalized digitally literate population has shifted it into a part of everyday
language, where it also leaves a profound impact.[37]
Frequently used slang also have become conventionalised into memetic "unit[s] of cultural
information".[6] These memes in turn are further spread through their use on the Internet,
prominently through websites. The Internet as an "information superhighway" is also catalysed
through slang.[26] The evolution of slang has also created a 'slang union'[1] as part of a unique,
specialised subculture.[26] Such impacts are, however, limited and requires further discussion
especially from the non-English world. This is because Internet slang is prevalent in languages
more actively used on the Internet, like English, which is one of the Internets lingua francas.

143 or 459 - I Love You

2MORO - Tomorrow
2NITE - Tonight
420 - Marijuana
AAF - As A Friend
AAK - Asleep At Keyboard OR Alive And Kicking
AAMOF - As a matter of fact
AAP - Always A Pleasure
AAR8 - At Any Rate
AAYF - Always Your Friend
ABT - About
ACC - Anyone Can Come
ADAD - Another Day, Another Dollar
ADN - Any Day Now
AFAIAA - As Far As I Am Aware
AFAIC - As Far As I'm Concerned
AFAIK - As Far As I Know
AIGHT - Alright
AKA - Also Known As
AML - All My Love
ASAP - As Soon As Possible
ATM - At The Moment
ATYS - Anything You Say
AWA - As Well As
AWC - After Awhile Crocodile
B4 - Before
B4N - Bye For Now
BAU - Business As Usual
BBL - Be Back Later
BBS - Be Back Soon
BC or B/C - Because
BCNU - Be Seein' You
BD - Big Deal
BEG - Big Evil Grin
BF - Boyfriend
BFF - Best Friends Forever
BFN - Bye For Now
BIF - Before I Forget
BIL - Brother In Law
BLNT - Better Luck Next Time
BMG - Be My Guest
BR - Best Regards
BRB - Be Right Back
BTA - But Then Again
BTDT - Been There, Done That
BTW - By The Way
BWDIK - But What Do I Know
BYTM - Better You Than Me
C-P - Sleepy
CD9 - Code 9: Parents Nearby

CID - Consider It Done

CMIIW - Correct Me If I'm Wrong
COS - Change Of Subject
CRB - Come Right Back
CSL - Can't Stop Laughing
CU - See You
CUL or CUL8R - See You Later
CUS - See You Soon
CUZ - Because
CWOT - Complete Waste Of Time
CYA - Cover Your A**
CYE - Check Your E-mail
DEF - Definitely
DFO - Done Fell Out
DIIK - Darned If I Know
DIY - Do It Yourself
DKDC - Don't Know, Don't Care
DQMOT - Don't Quote Me On This
DTRT - Do The Right Thing
DUCWIM - Do You See What I Mean?
DW - Don't Worry
DWF - Divorced White Female
DWM - Divorced White Male
DWBH - Don't Worry, Be Happy :O)
DYFI - Did You Find It?
E2EG - Ear To Ear Grin
EOD - End Of Discussion
EOL - End Of Life
EOM - End Of Message
EOR - End Of Rant
ETA - Estimated Time Of Arrival
EZ - Easy
F2F - Face To Face
F2T - Free To Talk?
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
FBM - Fine By Me
FBOW - For Better Or Worse
FCOL - For Crying Out Loud
FIMH - Forever In My Heart
FITB - Fill In The Blank
FOAF - Friend Of A Friend
FOFL - Falling On The Floor Laughing
FOMCL - Falling Off My Chair Laughing
FUBAR - Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition
FWD - Forward
FWIW - For What It's Worth

FYEO - For Your Eyes Only

FYI - For Your Information
G2CU - Good To See You
G2G - Got To Go
G2R - Got To Run
GAC - Get A Clue
GAL - Get A Life
GB - Goodbye
GBTW - Get Back To Work
GBU - God Bless You
GF - Girlfriend
GGN - Gotta Go Now
GI - Good Idea
GIWIST - Gee, I Wish I Said That
GJ - Good Job
GL - Good Luck
GMTA - Great Minds Think Alike
GOL - Giggle Out Loud
GR8 - Great
GTG - Got To Go
H8 - Hate

H/O - Hold On
HAGN - Have A Good Night
HAGO - Have A Good One
HAK - Hugs And Kisses
HAND - Have A Nice Day
HBU - How About You?
HH - Ha-ha
HHIS - Hanging Head In Shame
HO - Hold On
HOAS - Hold On A Second
HTB - Heavens To Betsy (for the older crowd)
HTH - Hope This Helps
IAC - In Any Case
IAE - In Any Event
IC - I See
ICBW - It Could Be Worse
IDC - I Don't Care
IDGI - I Don't Get It
IDK - I Don't Know
IDM - It Doesn't Matter
IDTS - I Don't Think So

IIRC - If I Remember Correctly

IK - I Know
ILY - I Love You
IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
IMLTHO - In My Less Than Humble Opinion
IMO - In My Opinion
IMPOV - In My Point Of View
IOW - In Other Words
IRL - In Real Life
JIC - Just In Case
JK or J/K - Just Kidding
JLMK - Just Let Me Know
JMO - Just My Opinion
JP - Just Playing
JT or J/T - Just Teasing
JTLYK - Just To Let You Know
JW - Just Wondering
K - Okay
KIS - Keep It Simple
KIT - Keep In Touch
KMP - Keep Me Posted

KOTL - Kiss On The Lips

KOW - Knock On Wood
KWIM - Know What I Mean?
L8 - Late
L8R - Later
L8RG8R - Later, Gator
LBAY - Laughing Back At You
LBH - Let's Be Honest
LLTA - Lots and Lots of Thunderous Applause
LMIRL - Let's Meet In Real Life
LMK - Let Me Know
LOL - Laughing Out Loud -or- Lots Of Laughs
LOLO - Lots Of Love
LMAO - Laughing My A** Off
LQTM - Laughing Quietly To Myself
LTNS - Long Time No See
LYL - Love You Lots
LYLAB - Love You Like A Brother
LYLAS - Love You Like A Sister
MIA - Missing In Action
MIRL - Meet In Real Life

MMA - Meet Me At
MMB - Message Me Back
MOO - My Own Opinion
MorF - Male or Female
MOS - Mom Over Shoulder
MSG - Message
MTFBWU - May The Force Be With You
MYOB - Mind Your Own Business
NALOPKT - Not A Lot Of People Know That
NBD - No Big Deal
NC - No Comment
NE - Any
NE1 - Anyone
NEWB - person who is new to something
NFS - Not For Sale
NM - Nothing Much
NM - Never Mind
NMH - Not Much Here
NMP - Not My Problem
NMU - Not Much, You?
NOOB or N00B - inferior person

NOYB - None Of Your Business

NP - No Problem
NRN - No Response Necessary
NVM - Never Mind
NW - No Way
NWO - No Way Out
O4U - Only For You
OAO - Over And Out
O RLY? - Oh, Really?
OIC - Oh, I See
OMDB - Over My Dead Body
OMG - Oh My Gosh -or- Oh My God -or- Oh My Goodness (for the older
crowd)
OOTO - Out Of The Office
OT - Off Topic
OTOH - On The Other Hand
OTP - On The Phone
OTTOMH - Off The Top Of My Head
OWTTE - Or Words To That Effect
OYO - On Your Own
P911 - Parent In Room
PAW - Parents Are Watching

PCM - Please Call Me

PDH - Pretty Darn Happy
PIR - Parent In Room
PITA - Pain In The A**
PLS - Please
PLZ - Please
PLU - People Like Us
POC - Point Of Contact
POS - Parent Over Shoulder
POV - Point Of View
PPL - People
PRW - Parents Are Watching
PTMM - Please Tell Me More
Q - Question
QT - Cutie
ROFL - Rolling On the Floor Laughing
R - Are
RL - Real Life
RSN - Real Soon Now
RUOK? - Are You Okay?
S2R - Send To Receive

SFETE - Smiling From Ear To Ear

SIT - Stay In Touch
SITD - Still In The Dark
SMH - Shaking My Head
SMS - Short Message Service
SOH - Sense Of Humor
SOMSW - Someone Over My Shoulder Watching
SOSDD - Same Old Stuff Different Day
SOZ - Sorry
SRY - Sorry
SSDD - Same S***, Different Day
STFU - Shut The F*** Up
STR8 - Straight
SUP - What's Up?
SYS - See You Soon
TAFN - That's All For Now
TBA - To Be Announced
TBC - To Be Continued
TBH - To Be Honest
TC - Take Care
TFF - Too Freaking Funny

TGIF - Thank Goodness It's Friday

THX - Thanks -or- Thank you
TIA - Thanks In Advance
TIC - Tongue In Cheek
TISNF - That Is So Not Fair
TMB - Text Me Back
TMI - Too Much Information
TOTT - Think On These Things
TOY - Thinking Of You
TTFN - Ta-Ta For Now
TTYL - Talk To You Later
TY - Thank You
U - You
U2 - You Too
UR - You Are -or- You're
VBG - Very Big Grin
W8 - Wait
W/ - With
W/E - Whatever
W/O - Without
WB - Welcome Back
WBS - Write back soon
WFM - Works For Me
WTF - What The F***
WTG - Way To Go
WTH - What The Heck?
WU - What's Up?
WYGOWM - Will You Go Out With Me?
WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get
WYRN - What's Your Real Name?
XOXO - Hugs and Kisses
Y - Why
YOLO - You Only Live Once
YRG - You Are Good
YT? - You There?
YW - You Are Welcome
ZZZ - Tired or bored