By Debbie Gardner
dgardner@thereminder.com
It can seem like a new language to those who don’t text or instant message regularly.
I’m talking about the abbreviations that crop up in messages, especially from younger family members.
So, if that last IM or text from your grandchild – or even your children – had a bit of alphabet salad in it that you’re embarrassed to admit you’re confused by, take heart.
You’re not alone.
According to research performed by HireVera.com, an AI-based personal assistance service, internet searches for common abbreviations – or acronyms – such as SMH (Shake My Head) and POV (Point of View) number in the thousands every month.
To be exact, 231,450 U.S.-based monthly internet searches for the meaning of SMH and 155,800 for POV, according to HireVera’s research.
And those numbers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to older generations – and business execs – trying to decipher this new communication style.
“Text abbreviations are a fascinating reflection of how language evolves across generations. Younger people often use them as a shorthand for efficiency, conveying complex emotions and ideas in just a few letters. However, for older generations, these abbreviations can sometimes feel like a foreign language,” said Eve Loffman of journalistic.org, acting as a spokesperson for Hire Vera. “In a world where ‘LOL,’ ‘BRB,’ and ‘FOMO’ have become part of everyday communication, it’s essential for those who are less familiar with digital language to embrace a proactive approach.”
Loffman suggests asking grandchildren to create a cheat sheet that they can share with grandparents and other elders. And though that’s a good idea, perhaps a little foreknowledge can help bridge the gap.
In that spirit, Prime has compiled the following “cheat sheets” to help anyone unfamiliar with text abbreviations get a leg up on the next family communique.
Common text abbreviations
Definitions for SMH and POV are listed above; here are some other abbreviations used in everyday texts, courtesy of Hire Vera:
TLDR – Too Long Didn’t Read
IYKYK – If You Know You Know
FOMO – Fear of Missing Out
YOLO – You Only Live Once
AFK – Away From Keyboard (using voice to text)
IDK – I Don’t Know
FWIW – for What It’s Worth
LMAO – Laughing My A** Off
More everyday text acronyms
Here are some additional text abbreviations, suggested by Reminder Publishing Managing Editor, Payton North:
BTS – Behind the Scenes
IMO – In My Opinion
BTW – By the Way
LMK – Let Me Know
NM – Nothing Much
RN – Right Now
And what the kids are using…
But of course, even a cheat sheet of text abbreviations can’t be that simple, with younger members of Gen Z already replacing some of the common acronyms used by their Millennial parents with their own text slang.
Here’s some of the latest, courtesy of British electronic retailer Currys (Currys.co,uk), as reported in The New York Post (full article at https://tinyurl.com/2r7vky3t).
Instead of “YOLO” (you only live once) use “DIFTP” (Do it for the plot)
Instead of “KK” (OK) use “Bet” (slang for agreement, approval or understanding)
Instead of “LMAO” (laughing my a*** off) use “IJBOL” (I just burst out laughing)
Instead of “ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing)” use the “Skull” emoji
Instead of “GR8 (Great)” use “That slaps”
Instead of “Diss” (criticism, disrespect) use “Clapback”
Instead of “Fire” (amazing, good, fun) use “Lit”
Instead of “Gross” use “Ick” (both mean disgust)
Instead of “OMG” (oh my God) use the “High 5” emoji
Instead of “411” (Latest Info) use “Tea”
Instead of “Cray” (crazy) use “Delulu” (delusional)
Currys has a page on its website dedicated to helping individuals make sense of the acronyms currently used in text and instant messages. The clever design includes graphics of old-style Nokia-type cell phones where viewers can hover over “buttons” with abbreviations on them and see the translation pop up on the phone’s “screen.”
Check out the full listing of the abbreviations – and definitions – that Currys has to share at https://tinyurl.com/2ufhksj2
After all, IYKYK…
