More common abbreviations for personal use

Text
abbreviation Definition Example Fun facts

as far as I “AFAIK, she left the party ten minutes The earliest dated definition for AFAIK can be found on
AFAIK know ago.” the website Urban Dictionary. It was written in 2003.

as far as I
AFAIR remember “She started that fight AFAIR.”

Jennifer Lopez’s eighth studio album is titled A.K.A. It is

AKA also known as “Joe, AKA our principal.” also the title of one of the songs in the album.

AMA ask me “I have taken the test before. AMA.” Reddit is a large online platform that features user-led
 discussion boards. It has a subReddit (a dedicated
discussion board) called “r/IAmA.” On this discussion
board, users submit “AMA interviews.” They say who
they are and what they do, then ask other users to ask
anything them anything (AMA).

“Don’t forget that dentist appt we have This term is used for both doctors’ appointments and
Appt appointment at 4pm.” appointments to positions, like judicial or business roles.

ASAP was initially an uncommon initialism used in high-

pressure environments, like on Wall Street, to request that
a task be completed quickly. It became common (and
as soon as pronounced as an acronym) with the rise of email and
ASAP possible “Can I have that shipped ASAP?” internal messaging systems.

AYOR at your own “Try that cookie dough AYOR.” While this abbreviation attempts to deflect blamefrom
one party, it is only used in casual conversations. You
 risk would never see a legal document with AYOR on it.

This acronym was so popular in 1999 that a boy band

named themselves b4-4. Later, they rebranded to before
B4 Before “I turned off the stove b4 I left.” four.

before anyone This term refers to a favorite person; it can also be a

BAE else “BAE, you know I’ve got your back.” shortened form of baby.

When capitalized and used in academic or historical

writing, this acronym means “Before Christ.” This refers
to the years before the year 0 (e.g., 500 BC). However,
many modern publications use BCE, which means
BC because “She left bc she was bored.” “before common era.”

BRB be right back “I need to find the shipping number. BRB originated in the 1990s when chatrooms first
 became popular. It was an easy way to explain that a
person would be stepping away from their keyboard for a
BRB.” few minutes.

Ex. “Is this supposed to be a DIY

furniture setup, or is it a white-glove The term DIY became popular in the 1950s, when self-
DIY do it yourself delivery?” made projects became all the rage.

The term DM grew popular on Facebook and Twitter, but

“I sent him a DM on Instagram, but he is now used to refer to direct (private) messages on any
DM direct message hasn’t responded.” social media platform.

“DYK Angie is going to be on

DYK did you know vacation next week?”

ESP especially “I thought that was an ESP good ESP is also the acronym for “extrasensory perception.”
 People with ESP believe they can sense information
through the mind. (Think: people who can read minds
presentation.” and see the future.)

“My grandma’s finally got herself a FB This abbreviation is used both in everyday language and
FB Facebook account.” throughout the social media advertising industry.

fear of missing “I don’t really want to go but I’ll get FOMO has become such a popular term—and prevalent
FOMO out FOMO if I don’t.” problem—that health magazines center articles around it.

“Let’s go FR, I’m dying to see them

FR for real perform.”

FRFR for real for “I think he likes you, FRFR.” FRFR is a more serious version of FR.
 real

FTW can either indicate an actual win in a game or imply

FTW for the win “That’s the Packers FTW!!” that something is excellent or the greatest.

for what it’s This term is used to politely introduce an idea, especially
FWIW worth “FWIW, I prefer the red dress.” one that might contradict the other person’s viewpoint.

FYI is most often used in informal situations

for your “FYI, I just renewed my subscription before like SMS chats. It’s also used in formal emails
FYI information the account closed out on me.” or documents to attract the readers’ attention.
 G2G can also mean government to
government. An official may use it when
referring to sharing data or intelligence
G2G got to go “Sorry I missed you, but I’ve G2G.” between government agencies or departments.

HBD can be seen as a lazy or rude way to send

birthday wishes. Consider sticking with the full
phrase if you’re talking to someone you care
HBD happy birthday “HBD, Molly.” about!

how about (’bout) WBU, which means what about (‘bout) you,
HBU you “I’m tired, HBU?” can be used instead of HBU in many situations.

IDC is almost always written in lowercase

letters to support the apathetic nature of the
IDC I don’t care “idc where we go for dinner.” term.
IG Instagram “I posted the pic on IG.” Instagram is owned by Facebook (AKA FB).

IM is now the term used for most real-time

communications over the internet, including
“Remember when we used to IM on Yahoo? messaging through channels like Facebook
IM instant messaging Those were the days.” Messenger and live chats on websites.

While the H in IMHO has long been

established as “humble,” popular internet
polls found that more people think the H stands
for “honest.” It’s another example of people
in my humble using abbreviations long enough for the real
IMHO opinion “She’s wrong about that IMHO.” meaning to be challenged.

IMO in my opinion “We should go Friday, IMO.”

IMU I miss you “It’s been so long! IMU” IMY is often used instead of IMU.

IMY is such a popular abbreviation that it was

used as a title in a song: I.M.Y. (I Miss You)
IMY I miss you “Thinking about u lately…IMY” by Kodak Black.

ILY is a less serious version of “I love you.”

It’s most often a term of admiration or
ILY I love you “Thanks Tina, ILY.” fondness, rather than full-blown love.

IRL is often used in online spaces like social

media or video games to refer to our normal,
IRL in real life “Is there an associate I can chat with IRL?” non-digital lives.
JIC just in case “I packed an emergency winter bag JIC.”

JK got its start in 1990s chatrooms, and

continued to rise in popularity throughout the
2000s. As it is sometimes difficult to convey
emotions in messages, it was commonly used
to ensure the mood of chats were sufficiently
JK just kidding “You look ridiculous. JK.” light.

JSYK just so you know “JSYK, the venue is closing at 2.”

LGTM looks good to me “LGTM. Go ahead and place the order.”

 LMAO is a stronger version of LOL. You can
laughing my a** “LMAO! I can’t believe I was using the use it to show that you’re laughing hard, as
LMAO off wrong button all along!” opposed to just laughing.

“MFW I saw the trailer for the newest Marvel This abbreviation is often followed by a GIF or
MFW my face when movie…girl, I cannot handle it.” emoji depicting how the person felt.

This abbreviation is interchangeable

MRW my reaction when “MRW I saw my test results 😭” with MFW.

MSG message “Your last msg confused me.”

 N/A is most often written down on a
form when you can’t provide an answer to a
N/A not applicable “N/A. I don’t have a cat.” question.

NBD can be used to indicate that something is

not a problem or to sarcastically indicate that
“I don’t mind that you missed the show, it’s something is a big deal (in the case
NBD no big deal NBD.” of humblebragging).

NGL is a newer acronym. It was started

sometime around 2010, when it was first added
NGL not gonna lie “You scared me, NGL.” to Urban Dictionary.

NP no problem “NP, I understand it’s not your fault.” NP can be used in lieu of YW.

NSFW not safe for work “Don’t open the article until you get home. You’re likely to see this acronym tagging
 It’s NSFW.” certain posts on Reddit.

NVM is sometimes written as “NVMD” or

NVM never mind “NVM, it’s working now.” NM.”

OMG is over 100 years old, having been used

in a letter written to Winston Churchill in a
letter in 1917. The initialism became
commonly used in 1990s chat rooms as a way
OMG oh my god “OMG I didn’t even think of that.” to express shock.

OMW can mean you’re in the car en route to a

meeting place. It can also be used more
loosely to mean you’re in the process of getting
OMW on my way “I’m OMW” ready.
 OP is a term commonly used in Reddit to
“The OP can’t reply because they aren’t express that the person who submitted a post
OP original poster tagged in this post” reposted it from another source.

Mobile operating systems include Apple iOS,

“My phone has a different OS; that’s why our Android, Bada, Blackberry OS, Windows OS,
OS operating system phone screens look so different!” Symbian OS, and Tizen.

OTW on the way “Are you OTW?”

O RLY? is an internet-specific phrase meant to

RLY really “That seems rly late.” express extreme disbelief.

RN right now “I can take a call rn if that works.” People have used RN since the internet
 chatrooms of the 1990s.

ROFL dates back to around 1989, when it

rolling on the floor was first used in a post on an early internet
ROFL laughing “That’s too funny! ROFL.” message board called Usenet.

This translates to “please respond”; hosts

répondez s’il vous commonly include the abbreviation RSVP in
RSVP plaît “Have you RSVP’d to Joan’s party yet?” event invitations.

Retweet is a Twitter term. It refers to sharing

RT Retweet “RT to support my friend!” someone else’s original tweet (post).

SGTM sounds good to me “I love that idea! SGTM.” SGTM is also sometimes abbreviated as
 SG2M.

The concept of the SMS message is attributed

to Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard
short message Ghillebaert in 1984. The first real text was sent
SMS service (texts) “Can you send me the address through SMS?” by Neil Papworth in 1992.

Used alone, SRSLY can effectively convey

disbelief in a texted conversation. E.g.,
SRSLY seriously “She is SRSLY mad.” “SRSLY?”

An SO can refer to a spouse, life partner, or

SO significant other “Can I bring my SO to the party?” any long-term relationship.

TBA to be announced “The event dates are TBA, but I think it’ll be TBA is interchangeable with TBD, which
sometime in November.” means “to be declared.” (TBD is also defined
 as “to be determined” in some cases.)

“The awards dinner starts at 9pm. The menu is

TBC to be confirmed vegetarian casseroles, meat options TBC.”

TBH can be used to admit a secret or to

emphasize that you’re giving your honest
opinion; sometimes it indicates that a hard
TBH to be honest “TBH, I think I want to return it at this point.” truth may be coming.

There are multiple songs that use this acronym,

thank God it’s including “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)” by
TGIF Friday “I’m exhausted. TGIF.” Katy Perry and “T.G.I.F.” by Lonestar.
THX thanks “I got it in the mail, THX for sending!”

This often-sarcastic abbreviation was made

famous by Fall Out Boy’s hit song, “Thnks fr
THNKS thanks “thnks Jane, really appreciate that” th Mmrs.”

Some language experts suggest that TIA can

come across as passive-aggressive. Consider
TIA thanks in advance “TIA for your help.” skipping straight to THX or TY!

This term is used for photos, videos, or pieces

of information that make someone
uncomfortable. It can be used in response to
conventionally scary, creepy, or awkward
TIHI thanks, I hate it “So about that spider video…TIHI” content.
 “TIL Bob was in a kids’ bowling league. He TIL is always used before introducing
TIL today I learned obviously won the game.” interesting new information.

While the exact origins of the phrase aren’t

known, it is suspected that TL;DR got its start
from discussion boards like the Something
Awful Forums during the early 2000s. The
too long; didn’t phrase was used then (and is used now) to give
TLDR read “TLDR. Can you send a summary?” a quick summary of a longer article.

TLTR too long to read “Send me a summary—it’s TLTR.”

TMI is a casual way to let friends know you’re

too much “I’m glad you’re feeling better, but also, uncomfortable with the personal information
TMI information TMI.” they’re sharing.
 There are two abbreviations of tomorrow.
TMRW is more commonly used, but TMW is
TMRW tomorrow “I have time tmrw to pick it up.” an acknowledged alternative.

This acronym may have started with a 2008

YouTube challenge in which a player finds
funny videos and watches them without
laughing. (The challenge continues on
Instagram and other social media channels
TNTL trying not to laugh “Oh noooo that’s horrible…TNTL” today.)

TTFN is an initialism of a popular British

phrase. A British radio program that ran from
1939-1949, It’s That Man Again, created it to
TTFN ta ta for now “Got it, that’s all I needed. TTFN!” satirize the military’s use of initialisms.

From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, TTYL

was the most popular way to say goodbye to
TTYL talk to you later “I’ll message in once I find the part. TTYL” friends via SMS.
 “I’m tired of blogging…I’m just gonna post
TW Twitter my thoughts on TW.”

TY thank you “TY for the support.”

TYSM is an exaggerated version of TY.

Depending on the context, it can be read as
TYSM thank you so much “TYSM for your help!” enthusiastic or sarcastic.

This term is synonymous with HBU in many

WBU what about you? “I’m gonna leave. WBU?” cases.

W/O without “Do you have anything w/o dairy?” Some say that this acronym started in the
1950s with waitresses. They could write down
customer preferences more quickly by
replacing the
 words with and without with W/ and W/O.

YNK you never know “YNK who is watching.”

This acronym was first recorded in 1996, and

began to decline in popularity around 2012. It
has been featured in songs (like Drake’s “The
Motto”) and parodied in songs (like The
Lonely Island’s “YOLO”). Additionally,
“I should have stayed in and studied, but Mickey Hart, drummer of the Grateful Dead,
YOLO you only live once YOLO.” has a house named YOLO.

“YW! I hope this helps other people with this

YW you’re welcome problem, too.”