The first emotional indicators in newsgroups and e-mail were acronyms designed to give readers clues to the attitude and intent of the sender. Acronyms also quickly developed as keyboarding shortcuts. Use of acronyms is particularly prevalent in instant messaging, primarily to maintain the pace of real-time conversation.
Text | Meaning |
---|---|
AAMOF | as a matter of fact |
AAR | at any rate |
ADN | any day now |
AFAIK | as far as I know |
AFK | away from keyboard |
AFKBRB | away from keyboard, be right back |
ASAP | as soon as possible |
A/S/L | age/sex/location |
B2W | back to work |
B4N (or BFN) | bye for now |
BAK | back at keyboard |
BBL | be back later |
BBS | be back soon |
BCNU | be seeing you |
BF (or B/F) | boyfriend |
BMN | but maybe not |
BRB | be right back |
BTDT | been there, done that |
BTDTBTT | been there, done that, bought the tape |
BTDTGTTS | been there, done that, got the t-shirt |
BTDTGTTSAWIO | been there, done that, got the t-shirt, and wore it out |
BTW | by the way |
BYKT | but you knew that |
CIO | cut it out |
CMIIW | correct me if I’m wrong |
CU (or CYA) | see you |
CUL (or CUL8R) | see you later |
DIY | do it yourself |
DYJHIW | don’t you just hate it when |
EAK | eating at keyboard |
EOL | end of lecture |
EOM | end of message |
F2F (or FTF) | face to face |
FAPP | for all practical purposes |
FOFL (or FOTFL) | falling on the floor laughing |
FTR | for the record |
FWIW | for what it’s worth |
FYA | for your amusement |
FYEO | for your eyes only |
FYI | for your information |
g (or <g>) | grin |
G (or <G>) | big grin |
G2G (or GTG) | got to go |
GAL | get a life |
GD&H | grinning, ducking, and hiding |
GD&R | grinning, ducking, and running |
GD&RVVF | grinning, ducking, and running, very, very fast |
GF (or G/F) | girlfriend |
GG | gotta go (or good game) |
GIWIST | gee, I wish I said that |
GMTA | great minds think alike |
GoAT | go away, troll |
HAK | hugs and kisses |
HAGD | have a great day |
HAND | have a nice day |
HEH | a courtesy laugh |
HHOS | ha-ha, only serious |
HTH | hope this helps (or hope that helps) |
IAE | in any event |
HW | homework (or hardware) |
IANAL | I am not a lawyer |
IC | I see |
ICBW | I could be wrong (or it could be worse) |
IDTS | I don’t think so |
IINM | if I’m not mistaken |
IIRC | if I recall correctly |
IIUC | if I understand correctly |
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 |
IOW | in other words |
IRL | in real life |
ISTM | it seems to me |
ISWYM | I see what you mean |
ITRW | in the real world |
J (or <J>) | joking |
JC | just chillin’ |
JIC | just in case |
JK (or J/K) | just kidding (or that was a joke) |
JTYWTK | just thought you wanted to know |
JW | just wondering |
K | okay |
KWIM | know what I mean? |
L (or <L>) | laughing |
L8R | later |
LJBF | let’s just be friends |
LOL | laughing out loud |
LTNS | long time no see |
MHBFY | my heart bleeds for you |
MHOTY | my hat’s off to you |
MOTAS | member of the appropriate sex |
MOTD | message of the day |
MYOB | mind your own business |
NBD | no big deal |
NBIF | no basis in fact |
NOYB | none of your business |
NP | no problem |
NRN | no response necessary (or no reply necessary) |
OIC | oh, I see |
OM | oh my (or old man, as in husband) |
OOI | out of interest |
OOTB | out of the box |
OTL | out to lunch |
OTOH | on the other hand |
OTTH | on the third hand |
PAW | parents are watching |
PC | politically correct |
PDA | public display of affection |
PEST | please excuse slow typing |
PI (or PIC) | politically incorrect |
PKB (or P/K/B) | pot, kettle, black (or pot calling the kettle black) |
PMBI | pardon my butting in |
PMFJI | pardon me for jumping in |
POS | parent over shoulder (or parents over shoulder) |
POV | point of view |
PPL | people |
PTB | powers that be |
R (or r) | are |
REHI | re-hello (following a short time away)(or hi again) |
RFC | request for comment |
RL | real life |
ROTFL | rolling on the floor laughing |
ROTFLOL | rolling on the floor laughing out loud |
RSN | real soon now |
S (or <S>) | smile |
SCNR | sorry, could not resist |
SITD | still in the dark |
SOP | standard operating procedure |
SPMD | some people may differ |
SUP | what’s up? |
TBE | to be expected |
THX (or TX) | thanks |
TIA | thanks in advance |
TANJ | there ain’t no justice |
TIC | tongue-in-cheek |
TPHB | the pointy-haired boss |
TPTB | the powers that be |
TTBOMK | to the best of my knowledge |
TTFN | ta-ta for now |
TTYL | talk to you later |
TVM | thanks very much |
TVMIA | thanks very much in advance |
TYVMIA | thank you very much in advance |
U | you |
UW | you’re welcome |
VBG (or <VBG>) | very big grin |
WB | welcome back |
WCD | what’s cookin’ doc? |
WHBT | we have been trolled |
WOA | work of art |
WRT | with regard to (or with respect to) |
WTG | way to go |
WTH | what the heck? |
Y (or <Y>) | yawning |
YHBT | you have been told (or you have been trolled) |
YHBW | you have been warned |
YHGMTPOTG | you have greatly misinterpreted the purpose of this group |
YHM | you have mail |
YMMV | your mileage may vary |
YOYO | you’re on your own |
YWSYLS | you win some, you lose some |