Text messaging on cellular phones can be difficult enough to learn for some in the older generation or the technologically challenged, but add in texting jargon (or slang) and instant messages, online chats, and emails can start to look like some kind of coded war correspondence.
Here is a beginner's guide to a few frequently used terms used in text messages, and perhaps even in kids' daily speech (sometimes referred to as kidspeak). This jargon is even appearing in school papers and driving teachers and parents a bit crazy. These codes are being used also in chat rooms, on online gaming, and on discussion boards.
Text messaging slang is a kind of 'foreign language' that adults and others need to know in order to keep up to date and to keep children safe online.
Some Common Text Message Acronyms (Lingo & Codes)
- B4N Bye for now
- BFF Best friends forever
- BRB Be right back
- BTDT Been there, done that
- BTW By the way
- COZ Because
- CUL8R See you later
- EG Evil Grin
- EZ Easy
- FYI For your information
- G2G Got to go
- GR8 Great
- GTG Got to go
- HAND Have a nice day
- IDK I don't know
- ILY I love you
- IM Instant messaging
- IMHO In my humble opinion
- K Okay
- L8R Later
- LOL Laughing out loud
- MOS Mom over shoulder
- NE Any
- OMG Oh my gosh!
- PLZ Please
- POS Parent over shoulder
- ROTFL Rolling on the floor laughing
- RUOK? Are you okay?
- SOS Sibling over shoulder
- TMI Too much information
- TMTH Too much to handle
- TTFN Ta ta for now
- U You
- W/E Whatever
- XOXO Hugs and kisses
- Y Why
- ZZZ Tired or bored
- ? Huh? or Question
Emotions Can Be Added to Instant Messages Using Smiley Emoticons
AIM (AOL Instant Messaging) now offers smiley characters to add to instant messages. See their Smiley Dictionary for the latest in fun characters.
A Fun Gift for an IM Addict
Check out this cool and funny shirt for the younger set. It says "Words Take Too Long" and lists lots and lots of text messaging shorthand and acronyms. It's sure to make kids and instant messaging fans laugh and baffle many clueless adults & seniors.
Learn More About Texting, IM Codes, and Instant Messaging Lingo
- Most cell phone companies will have "How to Text Message" information online. Simply Google search the company of choice.
- There are many more codes to learn to be up on super fast texting. One good list of IM codes and acronyms is on the IM Acronyms page.
- Another way to become more educated on the language of text messaging is to search on Google or any search engine with the words "IM Acronyms." There will be lots of information to absorb.
- Also read Advanced Text Message Shorthand: Cell Phone Instant Messaging Texting Jargon & Code Letter Meanings
Janienne Jennrich - Janienne Jennrich, Topic Editor for Kids & Teen Parties and for Hair, is an award-winning freelance writer & webmaster.
