Parents’ Guide to Texting with Their Children: Abbreviations, Shorthand and Other Tips

One of the newest commercials out today that is hilarious if you understand how texting and instant messaging conversations run is a Sprint commercial where the mother is complaining to the daughter about the recent cell phone. While the mother is asking her questions the daughter is responding in texting or IM format. “IDK my bff Jill”. Whats funny is the mother is keeping up with everything the little girl is saying until the end, but anyways its a good laugh to say the least. It makes you realize we have come upon a time in our society where fast paced life has taken over and the ability to text and converse online is now virtually a necessity the faster you can type the better and learning abbreviations is all a part of the game.

Take my mom for instance, we were sending emails back and forth when I got one that was returned with a “What Is LMAO’? Of course I told her (and you will see below in a minute) but it was the reply of “Boy I need to get caught up on the times” that prompted me to write this article. I thought about it momentarily and wondered how many people feel just like her when a email rolls around with all of these one letter abbreviations and others. So, I’m here to give you a little insight on the subject, and when I am done I will have a little test for you at the bottom and see how you did, best of luck! Keep in mind I am only going to give you ones that are basic and will help you get started, after you have read through them I will have a supporting link where you can find additional information. Haha, yes there is information on the Internet for this surprisingly enough. Don’t be offended if you know some of these, but I am doing this “Elementary Style” so people at different levels can learn.

?- I don’t understand what you mean or I have a question
ADD or ADR-address
AFAIK- as far as I know
AML- all my love
ATM- at the moment
AYTMTB- and your telling me this because
B/F or BF- boyfriend
B4- before
B4N- bye for now
BBIAF- be back in a few
BBL- be back later
BRB- be right back
BFF- best friends forever
BTW- by the way
CYA or CU- see you
DIKU- do I know you
G/F or GF- girlfriend
IC- I see
IDK- I don’t know
IM- instant messaging
JK- just kidding
KISS- keep it simple stupid
KPC- keeping parents clueless
LMAO- laughing my a** off
LMBO- laughing my butt off
LOL- laughing out loud
NLT- no later than
NVM or NM- nevermind
OMG- oh my god, gosh or goodness
P911- parents coming into room
PRW- parents are watching
PPL- people
PROLLY- probably

There is so much more, but you won’t remember a thing if I listed them all so if you want to check out more information on texting and instant messaging abbreviations remember to take a look at the supporting link I have left on this article. IMT U may want 2 CHK it out just 2 C if U can read this OK. Its been a pleasure, and just 2 LUK I am ROFL typing all of this 2 U. You’ll PROLLY FIO eventually, but hey at least I had some fun, muwhohahahahaha.

Reference:

• www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/textmessageabbreviations.asp