Texting, direct messaging, and instant messaging are often how we communicate. They are quick and easy ways to convey a message with a few simple taps of a keyboard. A quick text can start a conversation, let a friend know you are running late, brighten someone's day, or ask a question with little disruption. Texting helps us connect, socialize, and get support.
To save time, most people use abbreviated or predictive language in texts. As well, a mix of abbreviations and emojis are often used to convey a message. The mix of abbreviations and what can look like colourful cartoon characters is most often innocent, but can be lost on some. Sometimes the message can get lost in translation. It is a new language, one that is ever changing and sometimes hard to keep up with.
Take a Quick Quiz: Do you know the meaning of these?
LMIRL
PAW
Some emojis and abbreviations can have double meanings. For example, the eggplant emoji is widely used to represent a penis; the peach emoji can refer to a butt or vagina. Posted together, these two emojis can suggest anal or vaginal sex. LMIRL means Let's Meet in Real Life and PAW means Parents are watching.
What are popular text abbreviations?
Here is a list of some common text abbreviations and definitions:
- DM means Direct message.
- IM means Instant message.
- TBH means To be honest.
- IMO means In my opinion.
- ROFL means Rolling on floor laughing.
- STFU means Shut the f*&k up.
- LMK means Let me know.
- ILY means I love you.
- YOLO means You only live once.
- SMH means Shaking my head.
- LMFAO means Laughing my f*&king a#% off.
- LOL means Laugh out loud
- NVM means Never mind.
- IKR means I know, right.
- OFC means Of course.
- BRB means Be right back.
- CYA means Cover your a#% or See ya.