Text abbreviations are a quick way to communicate in our modern world, the shortened form of words used when communicating through phones and other devices. While popular, they can be tricky to understand if you didn’t grow up using them. According to one study, communication is vital to prevent cognitive decline. You need to know these abbreviations.
If you’re ready to learn about some of the most common text abbreviations used by a younger audience, you’re in the right place. According to one study, aging breaks down as we age – but there are ways to fight that. We’ll dive into a few of the most popular abbreviations you could see in your conversation with your child or another young person you love.
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THX – Thanks
THX stands for thanks. Someone might use this abbreviation when literally thanking you or as a quick response when you’ve provided a solution.
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival
If someone is on their way to you, they might type out ETA and the time they plan on getting to you. ETA means an estimated time of arrival and declares when a person thinks they’ll get to a location.
SMH – Shake My Head
SMH are the quick three letters for shaking my head. It’s typically used when someone doesn’t approve of something or sees something they don’t believe in.
NVM – Never Mind
NVM stands for never mind. It’s very informal and is used in the typical way you would use never mind in standard conversation.
LOL – Laugh Out Loud
LOL is the text abbreviation for laugh out loud. While the person sending the message might not be laughing out loud, it’s used to indicate when something is funny, and they want you to experience something like a laugh through text.
LMK – Let Me Know
LMK is the three-letter abbreviation for let me know. An individual will use it in a text message when they’re expecting an eventual response – they want to let them know when you have the information, such as a time to meet or what to purchase at the grocery store.
IMO – In My Opinion
IMO stands for in my opinion. When someone uses this in communication over text or a social media response, they are informing the other person they are about to state their opinion.
ROFL – Rolling on the Floor Laughing
ROFL is four letters that mean rolling on the floor, laughing. It’s like the extreme version of laughing out loud, implying the person responding thinks it’s so funny they’re on the ground.
TBH – To Be Honest
TBH is more of a straightforward abbreviation – to be honest. Most of the time, people use this abbreviation before telling you their opinion. They also might use it when telling you something honest, as the letters imply.
WBU – What About You?
WBU is a very casual way to provide a simple question – what about you? You will see WBU in a text message in response to a conversation starter. For instance, you might ask how someone’s day is, and they respond. They might ask you in return with a WBU.
SRY – Sorry
If there is a misunderstanding or someone says something out of turn, you might see SRY in a text message. This abbreviation is simply a shorter way for someone to type out they are sorry.
JK – Just Kidding
Let’s say someone types out something and follows it with a JK. In that case, you know they are joking about the situation – JK stands for just kidding. JK is one of the most commonly used abbreviations in the text and social media world.
BRB – Be Right Back
BRB is a quick abbreviation to type out when someone has somewhere to be. It stands for be right back and indicates the texter has to step away from their device for the time being.
FTW – For the Win
FTW is a short set of letters that stands for for the win. It’s a very enthusiastic and exciting expression, used to clarify when something is incredible or exceeds expectations. For the win is a very thrilling statement.
TGIF – Thank God It’s Friday
If you’ve ever been excited for the weekend, you should get familiar with this text abbreviation. It stands for Thank God it’s Friday and is a very enthusiastic statement about the upcoming weekend.
ISO – In Search Of
ISO is a simple statement. The person is indicating they’re in search of something, often referring to food or something they want to purchase. This abbreviation is less common than other text abbreviation selections.
IMHO – In My Humble Opinion
IMHO is yet another abbreviation people might use when expressing their perspective. It attempts to be slightly more down to earth with the word “humble” in the middle.
TBA – To Be Announced
If something has yet to be announced, you might see TBA in a text message, email, or social media post. This abbreviation indicates something isn’t yet announced but will be in the coming days, weeks, or months.
TBD – To Be Determined
TBD is like TBA. It stands for to be determined, typically used when the complete details surrounding a plan aren’t yet in the open.
IYKYK – If You Know, You Know
This abbreviation is a little longer than others on our list, but it stands for if you know, you know. People typically use this abbreviation as an inside scoop – if you know what they’re talking about, you know. If you don’t, you don’t.
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
FOMO is an abbreviation that came around when social media blossomed to life. It stands for fear of missing out, referring to a fear of missing out on various activities they see others participating in on the internet.
POV – Point of View
POV is a three-letter phrase to declare a point of view. Someone might use it in a message when describing their perspective on something. You can also see it on social media, where people try to depict other points of view.
DIY – Do It Yourself
DIY is a popular text abbreviation used when people want to make projects themselves. It stands for do it yourself and encompasses a variety of projects, from pulling together a party to picking a new coat of paint for the wall.
AKA – Also Known As
AKA is something used to explain another message. It stands for also known as. For example, someone might use it sarcastically – “Off to school, AKA the dungeons.”
CYA – See Ya
CYA is a unique abbreviation used to say see ya. Someone will use it when talking about a place they’re going to meet you or could utilize it to conclude a conversation and state they’ll return to it another time.
IG – I Guess
IG is a very shorthand way to say I guess. However, it’s also possible for a young person to use IG when referring to the social media platform Instagram.
NGL – Not Gonna Lie
NGL is a three-letter text abbreviation that stands for not gonna lie. Someone might use NGL if they’re talking about something embarrassing, complaining, or maybe even speaking about someone and looking to soften the blow.
IDK – I Don’t Know
If someone messages you with an IDK, it means they’re stating confusion. It stands for I don’t know. IDK might be in response to a question or just a casual part of everyday language.
GOAT – Greatest of All Time
GOAT is a term that’s been floating around for a long time, especially as more incredible athletes and celebrities emerge on the social scene. If someone texts that someone else is a GOAT, you know they call them the greatest of all time.
BC – Because
BC is a very short way to start because. Like the actual word, BC is typically used to connect two ideas in a message. For example, someone might say, “I went to the zoo bc I wanted to see a zebra”.
NP – No Problem
NP is a short set of letters that indicate a simple statement – no problem. When someone responds with these, you know they can complete your request or are responding to thanks for a job well done.
TFW – That Feeling When
Finally, if you have an excellent moment, you might see TFW in a social media caption or a text message. TFW means that feeling when and indicates the vibe or feeling surrounding something, such as the start of fall.
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Final Thoughts on Text Abbreviations
These are just a few of the hundreds of text abbreviations available in texting and communication, some more common than others. Abbreviations are more popular with younger people, but that doesn’t mean seniors can enjoy texting at the speed of light with simple letters instead of sentences.
Although it might take some time, anyone of any age can catch onto these text abbreviations. They make it much simpler to communicate and are an exciting way to connect with your children, grandchildren, and beyond. According to one study, grandparenting is the reason behind longevity – take advantage of it with understanding.
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