What are Some Common Abbreviations Used in Text Messaging?
With the popularity of text-based communications, many abbreviations used in text messaging have become easily recognizable even by those who are not technologically savvy. Through text messaging, instant messaging, email and chat rooms, abbreviations such as BFF (best friends forever), LOL (lots of love or laugh out loud) and L8R (later) have become common place. But the list of abbreviations used in text messaging grows daily.
Many of the common abbreviations used in text messaging are shortened versions of expressions, such as AAMOF (as a matter of fact), IMHO (in my humble opinion), or PLMK (please let me know). Other common abbreviations that replace expressions include:
- BBS: Be back soon
- BBT: Be back tomorrow
- BIB: Boss is back
- CM: Call me
- CYE: Check your email
- DIKU: Do I know you?
- F2F: Face to face
- HB: Hurry back
- JFF: Just for fun
- KOTC: Kiss on the cheek
- OMG: Oh my God!
- OOTO: Out of the office
- PSOS: Parents standing over shoulder
- PU: That stinks!
- SLAP: Sounds like a plan
- TMB: Text me back
- UGTBK: You’ve got to be kidding
Other abbreviations used in text messaging represent people or relationships, like BIL (brother in law), SO (significant other), or DWF (divorced white female). Some additional text message abbreviations that indicate people:
- B/F: Boyfriend
- BFAW: Best friend at work
- DD: Dear daughter
- DH: Dear husband
- DS: Dear son
- DW: Dear wife
- G/F: Girlfriend
- GRL: Girl
Even other abbreviations used in text messaging represent shortened versions of commonly used words, such as B4 (before), NE (any), or W? (why). Other abbreviations used in text messaging for frequently used words include:
- AIGHT: Alright
- GB: Goodbye
- GL: Good luck
- HV: Have
- K: Okay
- M8: Mate
- ONL: Online
- OVA: Over
- PEEPS or PPL: People
- PLS: Please
- PZ: Peace
- TTLY: Totally
- W? Why
- X: Kiss
- Z: Zero
Some abbreviations used in text messaging incorporate symbols to represent words or phrases, like 411 (need information), 121 (private chat), and ?4U (question for you). Not as many common abbreviations start with symbols, but some others are <3 (represents a sideways heart), 4COL (for crying out loud), and 2G2BT (too good to be true).
Written by Cathy Rogers
