IM Basics
How do you get started? The best way is to find a few friends already using IM, and install the same IM software they are already using. To make it easy for you, we've created a step-by-step guide to selecting and setting up your first instant messenger.
Instant Messaging: Reference
All About TLAs*
*Three Letter AcronymsInstant messaging and chat communications are often more informal than email, and you'll see people using acronyms to quickly express emotion or just to communicate a lot of information with less effort. They can be intimidating and confusing to the newbie, so keep that in mind when chatting with someone new.
The List
To make the journey easier, we've compiled a list of the
acronyms we're aware of. If you run across one you don't know,
you might find it here. But if you run across one that's not on
our list yet,
send us your
acronyms!
Chat Lingo
| # | ? | huh?/what? |
| 143 | love ya! | |
| 2 | to/too | |
| 4 | for | |
| 86 | to desert/to leave | |
| A | afaik | as far as I know |
| afk | away from the keyboard | |
| aka | also known as | |
| a/s/l | age/sex/location | |
| awy | away | |
| B | b | be |
| b4 | before | |
| b/c | because | |
| bb | buh-bye | |
| bbiaf | be back in a few | |
| bbl | be back later | |
| bbs | be back soon | |
| bcnu | be seeing you | |
| b/f | boyfriend | |
| bfn | bye for now | |
| bl | buddy list | |
| boma | bored off my a** | |
| bout | about | |
| brb | be right back | |
| btw | by the way | |
| C | c | see |
| ctn | can't talk now | |
| cu | see you | |
| cul8r | see you later | |
| cuz | cause | |
| cy or cya | see ya! | |
| cya | cover your a** | |
| D | d/l | download |
| dw | don't worry | |
| dwbi | don't worry about it | |
| E | ||
| F | f2t | free to talk |
| ffs | for f***'s sake | |
| foocl | falling out of chair laughing | |
| fiik | f*** if I know | |
| fwiw | for what it's worth | |
| fyi | for your information | |
| G | g | gee |
| *g* | grin or giggle | |
|
g2g gtg |
got to go | |
| g2ts | go to this site | |
| g/f | girlfriend | |
| gfu | good for you | |
| gli | gotta love it | |
| H | hb | hurry back |
| hth | hope this helps | |
| h/o | hold on | |
| I | iasb | I am so bored |
| ibcnu | I'll be seeing you | |
| idc | I don't care | |
| idk | I don't know | |
| ily | i love you | |
| ilysm | i love you so much | |
| imho | in my humble opinion | |
| imnsho | in my not so humble opinion | |
| imo | in my opinion | |
| irl | in real life | |
| J | j/c | just chillin' |
| j/j | just joking/just jokes | |
| j/k | just kidding | |
| j/p | just playin | |
| j/w | just wondered | |
| jl2m | just listening to music | |
| K | k | ok |
| L | l8r | later |
| l8r g8r | later gator | |
| *L* | laugh | |
| lal | laugh a lot | |
| lmao | laughing my a** off | |
| lmfao | laughing my friggin' a** off | |
| lmk | let me know | |
| lol | laughing out loud or lots of luck | |
| ltns | long time no see | |
| lyl | love you lots | |
| lylab | love you like a brother | |
| lylas | love you like a sister | |
| M | mm | merry meet |
| mp | merry part | |
| msya | miss you | |
| N | n2mh | not too much here |
| ne | any | |
| ne1 | anyone | |
| nm | not much | |
| nmjc | nothing much just chilling | |
| nmu? | not much, you? | |
| np | no problem | |
| nvf | not very funny | |
| nvm | never mind | |
| nvr | never | |
| O | o | oh |
| o4d | out for dinner | |
| o4l | out for lunch | |
| oic | oh I see | |
| omfg | oh my f***in god | |
| omg | oh my gosh | |
| otoh | on the other hand | |
| otp | on the phone | |
| P | paw | parents are watching |
| pf | profile | |
| pic | picture | |
| pita | pain in the a** | |
| plz | please | |
|
pml pmsl |
pissing myself laughing | |
| pos | parent over shoulder | |
| ppl | people | |
| prfl | profile | |
| pro | profile | |
| Q | ||
| R | r | are |
| roflol | rolling on the floor laughing out loud | |
| rotfl | rolling on the floor laughing | |
| rotflmao | rolling on the floor laughing my a** off | |
| rotfwl | rolling on the floor with laughter | |
| rsn | real soon now | |
| S | s/h | same here |
| sf | so funny | |
| sitd | still in the dark | |
| sit | stay in touch | |
| sitd | still in the dark | |
| sme | it's me (used when you IM someone to tell them to pick up the phone) | |
| sohf | sense of humor failure | |
| sry | sorry | |
| stfu | shut the f*** up | |
| sthu | shut the hell up | |
| sup? | what's up? | |
| swmbo | She who must be obeyed (a Rumpole/BBC reference, generally used when one's wife wanting you to get off the computer!) | |
| T | tia | thanks in advance |
| tic | tongue in cheek | |
| thx | thanks | |
| tks | thanks | |
| tmi | too much information | |
| tpiay | the pleasure is all yours | |
| ttfn | ta-ta for now | |
| ttyl | talk to you later | |
| ttys | talk to you soon | |
| ttyw | talk to you whenever | |
| ty | thank you | |
| U | u | you |
| urs | yours | |
| V | ||
| W | /w | with |
| wb | welcome back | |
| w/c | welcome | |
| w/e | whatever | |
| wtf | what the f*** | |
| X | ||
| Y | y | why |
| yb | you betcha | |
| ymmv | your mileage may vary | |
| yr! | yeah right! | |
| yt | you there? | |
| yw | you're welcome | |
| Z | ||
| zym | zip your mouth | |
Special thanks to our contributor(s):
babybear,
IccleBlueAngel, bastard guy,
Anna,
Sathallrin,
Craigenheimer,
digitalant, Billy Brock,
Geeker, Andrew Sowders, melissa275, Tim H, Cassie T, Carolyn
A, Bartaloafa, Kate, m A n D y, GrimReaper, Ashley, GamecockDS31, Samie Baby,
veggiegirl22, sweettart0927, knight4him85, Brianne,
Frutzle, pnguyen_74, shruthi99, x03nicole22x, rennagata92 and adrien.
Home