If you’re new in the world of the Internet or texting with your phone, you may become overwhelmed by the multitude of Abbreviations, text shortcuts, and acronyms that are used by more knowledgeable users. To assist you, this list is an overview of the most popular abbreviations that are used for text messaging, IMs (= Instant Message) and social networks, and others, where users want (or must) to use just the most basic of characters to convey thoughts or ideas.
List of Common Acronyms Used in SMS, Text, and Internet Chat:
| A | |
| AFAIK | As far as I know |
| AFK | Away from keyboard |
| AKA | Also known as |
| AOL | America Online |
| ASAP | As soon as possible |
| ASL | Age, sex, location |
| ATM | At the moment |
| B | |
| B/C | Because |
| B4 | Before |
| BBIAB | Be back in a bit |
| BBL | Be back later |
| BCC | Blind carbon copy |
| BF | Boyfriend |
| BFF | Best friends forever |
| BFN | Bye for now |
| BOT | Back on topic |
| BRB | Be right back |
| BTW | By the way |
| C | |
| CC | Carbon copy |
| CTN | Can’t talk now |
| CU | See you |
| CUL | See you later |
| CYA | See ya |
| CYE | Check your e-mail |
| D | |
| DIY | Do it yourself |
| DL | Download |
| DW | Don’t worry |
| E | |
| EG | Exempli gratia (Latin: For example) |
| EOD | End of discussion |
| ETA | Estimated time of arrival |
| F | |
| F | Female |
| FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions |
| FOFL | Falling on the floor laughing |
| FUBAR | Fouled up beyond all recognition |
| FWIW | For what it’s worth |
| FYI | For your information |
| G | |
| G2G | Gotta go |
| GB | Goodbye |
| GF | Girlfriend |
| GG | Good game |
| GJ | Good job |
| GL | Good luck |
| GM | Good match |
| GR8 | Great |
| H | |
| H/O | Hold on |
| HH | Ha-ha |
| HOAS | Hold on a second |
| HTH | Hope this helps |
| I | |
| IAC | In any case |
| IC | I see |
| IDK | I don’t know |
| IE | Id est (Latin: That is) |
| IIRC | If I remember correctly |
| IK | I know |
| IM | Instant Message |
| IMHO | In my humble opinion |
| IMO | In my opinion |
| IOW | In other words |
| IRT | In reply to |
| J | |
| J/K | Just kidding |
| JC | Just curious |
| JK | Just kidding |
| K | |
| K | OK |
| KIT | Keep in touch |
| KWIM | Know what I mean |
| L | |
| L8 | Late |
| L8R | Later |
| LMAO | Laughing my a** off |
| LOL | Laugh out loud |
| M | |
| M | Male |
| MMA | Meet me at |
| MMB | Message me back |
| MSG | Message |
| MYOB | Mind your own business |
| N | |
| N/A | Not Available |
| NC | No comment |
| NE1 | Anyone |
| NM | Not much |
| NP | No problem |
| NRN | No reply necessary |
| NW | No way |
| O | |
| OMG | Oh my gosh |
| OT | Off topic |
| OTOH | On the other hand |
| P | |
| PDA | Public display of affection |
| PHAT | Pretty hot and tempting |
| PIR | People in room |
| PK | Player Killing |
| PLZ | Please |
| POS | Parent over shoulder |
| PPL | People |
| Q | |
| QT | Cutie |
| R | |
| RE | Regarding |
| ROFL | Rolling on the floor laughing |
| ROTFL | Rolling on the floor laughing |
| RPG | Role Playing Game |
| RT | Real-time |
| RTFM | Read the flippin’ manual |
| S | |
| SMH | Shaking my head |
| SOS | Someone over shoulder |
| SOSO | Same old, same old |
| SP? | Spelling? |
| STR8 | Straight |
| SUP | What’s up |
| T | |
| TBC | To be continued |
| TBH | To be honest |
| TC | Take care |
| TGIF | Thank goodness it’s Friday |
| THX | Thanks |
| TIA | Thanks in advance |
| TIC | Tongue in cheek |
| TISNF | That is so not fair |
| TLC | Tender love and care |
| TMI | Too much information |
| TOH | Typing one-handed |
| TTFN | Ta-ta for now |
| TTYL | Talk to you later |
| TY | Thank you |
| U | |
| U2 | You too |
| UR | You are |
| V | |
| VBG | Very big grin |
| W | |
| W/ | With |
| W/E | Whatever |
| W/O | Without |
| W8 | Wait |
| WB | Write back (e-mail) |
| WOOT | Way out of topic |
| WTG | Way to go |
| X | |
| XOXO | Hugs and kisses |
| Y | |
| Y | Why |
| YRG | You are good |
| YW | You’re welcome |
| Z | |
| ZZZ | Sleeping |
Note: Despite the fact that the acronyms listed below can be written with ALL CAPS, it’s not required to use capital letters. Generally, people mix lower and uppercase based on their own personal preferences. Utilizing caps for acronyms itself is typically not considered to be good netiquette, however writing complete sentences or words in ALL CAPS is typically considered to be “shouting” and thus frequently viewed as offensive.
