My favourite IM abbr
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In my daily chats or tweets, I often get asked the question «What does XXX mean?» or receive the bare question mark suite «???» following the use of an abbreviation.
A side effect of today's prevalence of text messaging, instant messaging and especially Twitter as means of communicating is the increased usage of acronyms and abbreviations in the content we broadcast, which's length is slimmed down by choice or by constraint.
I live in Geneva where the main language remains French. Most people I communicate with have some fluency in English, but most lack the geeky online culture in which these abbreviations are the most common. Even though a number of them have been translated into French (e.g. LOL becomes Mdr), their English counterpart still prevails and bewilder a number of people I know.
There is a generation gap which adds to what precedes, as the younger people tend to embrace the web and its culture as ubiquitous.
All this isn't without reminding me of the days when CB radio («ham») was popular and how the slang used by aficionados fascinated me. Secrets and double meanings in ordinary words. I loved it.
If wonder if there are any CB fans/users left out there…
There are loads of web sites out there that give you lists of the common abbreviations used in text messages of instant messages, but if I had to pick two, I would suggest:
- AIM's Acronym Dictionary. Comprehensive.
- The Urban Dictionary. So much more than just a list of words and their definitions.
BOT: this entry is getting far too long. All I wanted to do this morning was to share my favourite 30 with you.
| 73 | Best Regards |
| 88 | Love and Kisses |
| 831 | 8 letters, 3 words, 1 meaning, I love you |
| 100 | Nature Calls/Pit Stop |
| AFAIC | As Far As I'm Concerned |
| AFAIK | As Far As I Know |
| AKA | Also Known As |
| BOT | Back On Topic |
| BRB | Be Right Back |
| DAMHIK | Don't Ask Me How I Know |
| DW | Don't Worry |
| EG | Evil Grin |
| EOD | End Of Discussion |
| ETA | Estimated Time of Arrival |
| FYA | For Your Amusement |
| FYI | For Your Information |
| GAL | Get A Life |
| GBTW | Get Back To Work |
| LOL | Laughing Out Loud |
| ROFL | Rolling On Floor Laughing |
| ROTF | Rolling On The Floor |
| SS | So Sorry |
| SWAK | Sealed With A Kiss |
| SWL | Screaming With Laughter |
| SYS | See You Soon |
| YMMV | Your Mileage May Vary |
| YWIA | You're Welcome In Advance |
| ZZZ | Sleeping |
Have a great weekend!
88
Currently playing in iTunes: If You Knew by Mélanie Pain