Wanna feel old fast? Read a teenager’s Facebook page or text messages, and realize that you don’t understand what the hell she is talking about. That is most likely due to all the abbreviations and acronyms that are now a part of the English language – at least if you are under the age of 20.
Or not. I caution you against using too many of these – you will sound like a teenage wannabe, which is frankly kinda pathetic. Just speak in full words and text with one finger, like a normal adult.
1. BRB – Be right back
2. GTG – Got to go
3. IDK – I don’t know
4. IDC – I don’t care
5. IKR – I know, right?
6. ILY – I love you
7. TBH – To be honest
8. CYA – See ya*
9. BTW – By the way
10. BBY – Baby
The last one I thought was ridiculous – text abbreviations for one measly letter? But I was then informed that BBY is used as a term of non-romantic endearment between two girl friends. As in “ILY, BBY!” Totally platonic love of a good friend.
*I also thought that CYA meant “cover your ass,” but apparently it has taken on a new meaning with the younger set.
So there you have it. BTW, if this post made you LOL or even better ROFLMAO, then ILY BBY. If not, then OMG – TBH, IDC. GTG – TTYL!
This post was originally published last April, when I only had one teenager texting. I now have two, and I confirmed with the younger one that these abbreviations are still in use.
Do you have any favorites to add?
THANK YOU! Now my 14 yo won’t roll his eyes at me anymore when I don’t know what he’s talking about.
Although, it goes both ways sometimes. If I DO know, it embarrasses him and I get the eye rolling anyway.
Still glad to have a glossary of terms. I needed this!
When I first started texting a couple of years ago I really could have used this cheat sheet. People kept texting “idk” to me and it took me months ro figure out what it meant. People wouldn’t tell me when I asked because they thought I was just being funny!
Yep, this is one instance where having a teen is very helpful – anytime I’m stumped, I just ask one of my kids!
I love the episode on Modern Family where the Dad is talking about acronyms b/c he’s hip like that & totes gets them wrong.* I cannot stand the abbreviation “totes.”
Neither can I! I also can’t stand when my kids talk in text. Like saying “btw” or “lol.” Is it that hard to just say the words?
Okay so I’m a teenager (16), and I hardly use any acronyms. So I don’t know that many, to be honest I’m impressed with what some of the above people were using. However, I have a list for you all just to change it up a bit. Excuse any profanities that may occur!
TBH – To be honest
IKR – I know right
OTP – One true pair (two people in a book or TV show that you want to end up together).
‘Shipping’ – wanting two people to end up together
FML – F**k my life
KMN – Kill me now
BRB – Be right back
P911 – Parents around
FYI – For your information
AF – As f**k
IDK – I don’t know
IDEK – I don’t even know
IDC – I don’t care
ILY – I love you
BBY – baby
QT – Cutie
BTW – By the way
SRS – Serious/ seriously
NTY – No thank you (can’t forget good manners right?)
TY – Thank you
FB – Facebook
BF/GF – Boy/girl friend
DILLIGAS – Do I look like I give a s**t?
JKS – Jokes
OMG! – Oh my God!
POV – Point of view
TMI – Too much information
WTF? – What the f**k?
Probs – Probably
They are probably some of the more popularly used ones…
🙂
Thanks for the tips! I knew a bunch of these, and I’m sure my daughter (who is also 16) knows the rest.
For my two – 18 and 20 – it’s no longer the thing to text! Email? Forget about it. They are all about snapchat. reminds me of last summer when I was sitting in the b and b on campus. A mom was sitting with her son in the lounge and I overheard her arguing with him. “But why won’t you tell me about snapchat? What is it? Why can’t I snapchat YOU?” My daughter rolled her eyes and grinned. I got the message. I wouldn’t be snapchattin’ anytime soon with either her or her brother. Still aren’t a year later … BTW
Ha! My daughter snap chats with her friends all the time. It combines her love of the selfie with texting. I haven’t even attempted it!
I knew some of them! Hahaha. I thought I was about to feel extremely old hehe. I actually didn’t know like 3 maybe. I am a texter though. Hubby sometimes will have me text something for him haha. I was laughing at what you thought CYA was. BBY I didn’t know but it is too hilarious. They are that lazy about just writing out baby? Hahaha! Such a funny post. 🙂
Glad it made you smile, Brittnei!
I have to say, this was really helpful! I did not know most of those. My 10 year old often debates with me (he doesn’t have a phone so it’s more in theory) on the use of BTW vs. FYI. I guess they’re somewhat interchangeable.
I never thought about that before, but that’s true. He’s debating you about that already…you’re in for it, Nina 🙂
I skip the abbreviations because, as you said, it can come across as pathetic but I have to admit that I love to use emoticons. Probably also pathetic but they amuse me!
They amuse me too. When your grandsons get older and can send your texts using their parents’ phones, I bet those emoticons will come in handy. You can message them before they can even read!
My sister uses a lot of text-ese and it drives me insane. Though, living in the DC area means that I’m used to seeing alphabet soup in documentation and conversation. Though CYA will always have the original meaning to me!
Me too, Leslie!
I overuse lol. I’m thinking maybe I should forget the abbreviations and just start using emoji instead. Imagine an entire message in pictures. That won’t be confusing…
I get those kinds of texts from my daughter occasionally. Although it’s usually just a bunch of emojis conveying the same emotion. As if I don’t get it from one frowny face?
I kinda love text abbreviations but it makes me sad that I Love You has been abbreviated! Those words deserve all their letters!
I totally agree! My daughter always spells it out for me in her texts, though. I think she knows I wouldn’t like it abbreviated.
Great list!
Just the other day I came accross the OTHER list.
Senior texting.
So for them BTW means Bring The Wheelchair.
ATD is At The Doctor’s.
LMDO = Laughing My Dentures Out.
On and on it goes.
That is too funny! Reminds me of one I saw when a mom used WTF when her son shared good news. She thought it was “well that’s fabulous!”
I can totally see myself overusing these!! I guess I’ll keep a printout by my desk! 😛
Ha – just keep it in a drawer, or you’ll look very uncool. 😉
1. Texting rewards kids for coming close. Seriously, try and type something AND GET NEARLY EVERY LETTER WRONG AND THE AUTO CORRECT WILL SAVE YOUR ASS. This is perplexing when the kid gets on an archaic beast such as a computer keyboard.
2. My girls use BEY – before everyone else. I think it’s a term of endearment, and I also think they use it on more than one kid.
3. When I want the girls to do something other than play on their devices, I tell them, “Tell your friends BBYL,” which means absolutely nothing, but ticks them off to satisfying levels for a dad like me.
1. Yet when I type my name, which I’ve typed on my phone eight million times, it auto corrects to dane or dino or something idiotic.
2. I’m familiar with BEY, but I think you are right. Evidently many people can be BEY, which makes them ITSGAEY (in the same group as everyone else).
3. That is awesome! The YL is you later, but the BB…I love messing with my kids’ heads.
FYI – other that FYI I am SO a speller outer and I had to scroll up to the answer key to see what you were saying. Consider me schooled. 😉
But you’ll never remember these by the time Christopher starts texting, Kenya. Who knows, all the abbreviations may have changed by then.
Okay, I knew most of these and my kids are not teens yet. My son is entering tween stage but even he doesn’t know all of these. The reason I know them is because there is a geek/gamer side to me. Online games use these too and it’s part of their language (why I started playing games in the first place – because of a college course!). I had to learn them quick and even though I know what they mean, they irritate me when the sentence is nothing but.
I agree with you – that is annoying. You will be all set when your kids start texting – I’m sure you can teach them a few things!
I feel so old! When I text I am typing out all the words like an old lady because I can never remember any short cuts. Thanks for reminding me! #bloppies
My pleasure, Susan. Just trying to help moms everywhere stay cool. Or at least cool-ish.
Another one I see from younger people’s Instagram posts is BAE. After thorough investigation on Urban Dictionary, I learned that it stands for baby or”Before Anyone Else,” among other things. And I always thought it was where my husband used to work!
BTW, I have mad two-thumb texting skills and probably show my age by my overuse of emojis! 🙂
Hmm – I didn’t know that one. I’m envious of your thumb texting skills – I try but I suck at it. Just another reason for my daughter to roll her eyes at me…
I know a few… like lol idk and wtf but mostly when people do them I have to look them up! sigh… Im old. Thanks for hooking up to the Hump Day Hook Up
If you are old then you are in good company, Molley. Always a pleasure hooking up!
Are you ready for the morning?
Yep!
Definitely ROTFLMAO! TY (thank you!) 🙂
UR welcome!
Oh em gee, I LOVE your new layout!!! Thank you for making this list. I will hold it close while I’m carefully attempting to translate my daughter’s new language…while I’m stalking her…I mean… You know.
Thanks SO much for being such an excellent hooker. I’m happy you linked up today!!
I’ve never been called an excellent hooker; thank you! If you ever get stuck on an abbreviation, let me know (LMK) – I’ll ask my daughter to translate.
I remember some of those being used on bulletin boards and online chats over a decade ago, when I’d never heard of texting. Was texting around 10 years ago? (I came from the Hump Day Hook Up.)
Ten years ago…if texting was around, it was cumbersome to do on those regular phone keypads. Now it’s like another language! Thanks for visiting Ginger.
Cool short and sweet list. I have never used IDK (that would save A LOT of time, but I’m not sure the people I text would get that one). I wouldn’t have gotten that if I didn’t read it here. I forgot to put BTW on my list, I use those in emails sometimes.
I read in an article that texting and technology is hurting teens so bad, that they sometimes put acronyms and abbreviations in their school papers and essays. That’s just SAD.
Happy Belated Listicles Monday.
That is sad. I proof all my kids’ papers – no abbreviations are getting through on my watch!!
Great list–I’m still baffled about the Bee Tee Dubs thing… Isn’t it easier just to say ‘by the way’?!?
Yes it is, Lisa. But apparently it’s not cool. Go figure!
Haha! I don’t care if it broke the rules, I love this list! I don’t use most of these abbreviations (except the occasional BTW), and I go nuts when I get a text from my {grown} family members filled with them.
We (adults) just can’t use too many without looking foolish. I just text the whole damn phrase, using one finger like any self respecting old person would do.
I am in the under 25 crowd, but I definitely don’t use most of these! I still use LYLAS..I guess I am a little old fashioned even though I’m not old. 🙂
I’ve come to the conclusion that TBH (at least when on Facebook) pretty much means ‘I’m about to lie through my teeth’. I’ve talked to some of my friends who are like ‘omg, I totally hate her, I just didn’t want to sound mean, so I told her she’s gorgeous and that we should hang out more.’
I definitely don’t understand girls logic. Haha. 🙂 Why are you even friends on Facebook with someone you strongly dislike?
Thanks for the laughs!
~Dakota
Despite you being *ahem* much younger than I am, I feel a little less old knowing that even a young’un doesn’t use them all! And I’m glad you said that about TBH – I think the same thing! My daughter, the smart girl that she is, refrains from doing any of that on Facebook. Thanks for visiting, Dakota!
I’m sure I’m not that much younger than you, at least in your picture you look like you’re no older than 30! (Although, that means you started having children at a very young age!)
I have never gotten into that sort of drama, either…as a matter of fact, if I wasn’t away from home so much, I probably wouldn’t even have a Facebook…but I do have to stay in touch with Grandma and friends! 🙂
Thank YOU, for writing some awesome posts! I enjoyed this so much I’m tweeting it, too. 🙂
~Dakota
You are too kind, Dakota. The way to a woman’s heart is to grossly underestimate her age 🙂
I actually knew most of those, except BBY (you’re right – one measly letter??) but I was always confounded by the TBH. I’d see it on Facebook and wonder why (mostly) teens felt the only they could say something was to preface it with TBH. I’m old.
You’re not old, you’re just not a teenager. I can’t stand the TBH – it’s so superficial on FB -“TBH you are soooo pretty and smart and I love you…” Bleh.
This was actually quite helpful…whenever I can’t figure one out, I google it!
Glad I could help, Michelle. What would we do without Google?
First, I think we should fight to take CYA back because cover your ass is way better than see ya. Duh.
Ok the ones I knew:
1. BRB – Be right back
2. GTG – Got to go
3. IDK – I don’t know
6. ILY – I love you
9. BTW – By the way
said as BTDubs (dubs for W)
Also, once I heard my brother say dub dub dub dot ____ and now? I say it too. It’s just easier. Teenagers are crazy though and I can say that because my husband’s daughter lived with us from age 13 to just this summer at 18 after HS (high school) grad (graduation).
Oh and BBY? that’s just dumb. It’s actually easier to type baby. Why not just say GF (girl friend?). Funny post, friend.
Thank you Kristi. I think BBY is dumb too – GF is shorter. You knew more than most – must be because of the crazy teenager who lives with you!
Or because I’m just wicked smart? Ok fine probably not. BBY is still just dumb. TTYL! GTG! Yay for reposts 🙂
Just yesterday I was wondering why everyone seemed to have terrible grammar and spelling on Facebook – I went to school with many of these friends. I know we learned proper grammar! Then I realized it’s not just text-speak – it’s internet speak. I still shake my head at it but at least I know that people probably don’t generally hand in resumes or cover letters like that. Generally..
I know what you mean, Tamara. I may be old school, but I try to use correct grammar and spelling even on social media and emails. I also want to make sure my kids know when it’s appropriate to write casually and when it’s not.
Mom of teens here who also had to consult to create list for Monday Listicles. Google is my best friend when keeping an eye on their social media feeds. . . It just occurred to me that it may be fun to test them on sayings I use that always cause them to laugh at me. The latest “selling like hotcakes.” they laughed, but didn’t have a clue. And I doubt they googled it. Probably just posted SHM on FB. Thanks for the list!
SHM=SMH (my girls would love it)
That would be a good post – “Things I say that make my teenager roll her eyes and laugh at me.” I’m going to check out your list now!
SMH I have no clue what that means and I see it all the time.
Those teens may have us beat with all the text lingo but they don’t get to use BYOB and that’s pretty much the best one.
SMH means shaking my head. And you are right – BYOB is the best one!
Thanks for the teen tutorial on texting. I still have a few years before I’m going to entertain getting my eldest a phone – and by then the language may have evolved to a whole new place. It’s tough to keep up!
Yes it is, Kerry. You’ll have to get a refresher course when your oldest gets a phone – good luck!
Hubs thought LOL meant love you lots, for the longest time he entered why his friend kept saying it! Oh and I thought CYA was covering your ads too. Gosh I feel old!
Nothing like a teenager to make you feel old – I am reminded of that daily!
Oh man, thank you for educating me because I didn’t know a bunch of these. IKR could come in handy. That’s a long one. I’ll never use BBY…I hope.
I like IKR too. BBY is like the LYLAS of our generation – remember that one? (love you like a sister)
YTB! I’ll give you a little while to figure out what that one means. 😛
You’re too beautiful? You’re the bomb?
I believe it’s “You’re the best”. 🙂
I think you are right!
Broken rules or no, such a great topic for the acronym link up. It seems like the texts are getting more coded by the day; my son is 12 and shows me some. They’re all letters, no words.
Although I do score “cool mom points” occasionally by decoding things for him.
Thanks, Sarah. Yeah, I’m never the cool mom who can decode a text – my kids are way ahead of me in that department 🙂
Love it- thanks for educating me this morning. I, too, had to look back at the list to read the last sentence. Please don’t tell my girl! : )
Mum’s the word, Erica!
I had to think real hard about your last sentence. TY 4 sharing!
UR welcome!
Golly Day Dana I had to go back up to your list to read the last sentence! hahah
This was great!
I love the text with one finger comment! And I also thought CYA was cover your ass. I think it is for adults….
I figured readers might have to reference the list to read that sentence 🙂 I am learning how to text with both thumbs; according to my daughter that is the way to do it!
totally spit out my coffee on the keyboard…love it babe…too funny.
I can only imagine what Dino will be texting when he is a teenager.
Who knows – there will probably be a whole new set of abbreviations by then!
Who knew that CYA had a different meaning to teens? I am not surprised that kids use BBY which only saves one letter…I can’t believe the things my son abbreviates. It’s ridiculous!!
It is, isn’t it? My son texts “Bii” instead of “Bye” – why I have no clue.
I guess every generation has their own language so to speak, but yes hanging my head in shame now feeling quite old, lol!!
I hear ya, Janine. You’ll feel even older when you have a teenager who rolls her eyes at you because you are so uncool 🙂
i decided a few years ago that after the age of 25 you are TFO to LOL on text. so i usually just write “ha!”, but never LOL. but then again, i’m the same person who thinks it’s weird when grown ups wear other grown ups names on their backs (e.g., NFL jerseys). i become so uptight in my old age! WTF???
I don’t like LOL either, Ellen – I use it sparingly,l and I usually use “ha” also. I also hate “tee hee” as a laugh – who actually says that?? WTF indeed. Now that’s an acronym I can use.
I have to say, while still wildly entertaining, that post was straight-up helpful. I can’t tell you how often I have had to Google these bizarre letter combos. I wanted to invent one myself the other day, during a stressful parenting moment- GMTFOOH! (Got it yet?)
You stumped me, Stephanie. What is it?
Get me the f*** out of here! LOL
I don’t use that one, LC 🙂
Omg! (that’s the one I know). I feel so old because I don’t know any of this stuff. I am clueless and often have to ask younger people to decipher this code. Is it sad that I may bookmark this post to refer back to later when I need to decode something?
And in my world, CYA means “cover your ass.” I guess those kiddies are just to young to realize The world is full of people trying to screw you over. I guess they’ll learn soon enough.
Based upon some of the outfits I’ve seen on teens lately, I figured they didn’t know what it meant to cover their ass…literally.
Ha – you are right about the lack of ass covering with teens. And I am clueless too – that’s why my daughter was consulted in order to write this post!