An ICYMI for FOMO PPL... K?
As Sir David admits he is baffled by social media language... (An in-case-you-missed-it guide for people fear of missing out... OK?)
Youngsters messaging who use tablets do, I can’t use that kind of language, I can’t use that kind of spelling,” he told The Arts Hour on BBC World Service.
And he is far from alone, so here is your essential guide to some of the most used and most baffling abbreviations around...
LOL
One of the first text abbreviations to emerge from instant messaging, it is often mistaken for “lots of love” but is “laugh out loud”. OMGspeech,
Now part of common
this simply means “oh my god”.
ILY
TBH
Often voted one of the most over-used and annoying phrases, it’s hardly a surprise, “to be honest”. TBT
If you hashtag old pictures posted on social media it’s probably for “Throwback Thursday”. TMI
It’s time to stop talking when you get this. It stands for “too much information”. IKR
When you, like, totally know what someone’s talking about, “I know, right”. IDC
The abbreviated version of a W sign with your hands and huffing “whatever”, this means “I don’t care”. NSFW
If you get a message with this on, be very careful... it’s “not safe for work” and is a warning not to open it if you are around others in the office. FTW
Want to be encouraging (or sarcastic)? Then put this at the end of a message. It’s “for the win”, meaning something is good (or really bad if you’re being sarky). IMO OMWabbreviation Thoroughly useful
for those running late, “on my way”. LMAO
The extreme cousin of LOL, this is “laughing my ass off”. FOMO
We’ve all had it, the feeling of doom when we’re convinced others are out having fun without us. And now there’s a shortcut for “fear of missing out”. JOMO
But then again, that’s not always a bad thing. You may have “joy of missing out” instead.
For the more longTLDRwinded,
things may be “too long, didn’t read”. AFAIK
Sit right on the fence with this one, “as far as I know”. IYSWIM
Nope, nothing to do with your swimming ability, “if you see what I mean”. SMH“shaking
Tutting by text, it’s my head”. BFF
This one spawned an array of merchandise aimed at “best friends for ever”. BTWthis
Just as an aside, is “by the way”. IRL
If you thought everything was “in real life”, think again. This is to clarify if something took place in person. HBD HMUin
Want someone to get touch? Then you’re asking them to “hit me up”. PPL OOTDfashion
One for the fans, this is your “outfit of the day”. AMAdangerous statement... “ask me anything”. NM
Usually the answer when you ask someone what they’re up to, “not much”. NVMplacation JK
Use to avoid offence, “just kidding” or “joke”. NGL
If you’re telling the truth, then you’re “not gonna lie”. YOLOout Turns James Bond was wrong, “you only live once”. short for “of course”.
Like the shop sign, “be right back”.
Or not, with “got to go”.
For someone special, is “all my love”. Joey from liked a “How you doin?” but this “What you doing?” has a few less connotations.
You might change your mind but “at the moment” this is what you think. Doesn’t really matter if you don’t know this one, it’s “no big deal”.
Found out a mind-blowing fact? This one’s for you, “today I learned”.
You’d think “OK” was already short enough, but KK means the same. Just don’t add another one...
K
Also means “OK” but usually used if someone is annoyed with whoever they send it to. NTS
“Note to self”, stop using abbreviations. PDA
For smooching couples on the bus having a “public display of affection”. ICYMIa
Never miss out on friend’s big moment with an “in case you missed it”.
WTF
Impolite version of “what the flip?” – to show shock or confusion.