If you’ve ever been into an online chat room, used an instant messenger, had a conversation via text message, or talked to a teenager, you are probably at least somewhat familiar with many of the following texting abbreviations. Although they tend to be grammatically incorrect and slightly confusing, they are commonly used and practical, making sending text messages quick and easier on your fingers. You don’t have to use them if they make you feel like you’re losing IQ points, but chances are that you will have to decipher them at some point if you haven’t already, so the least you can do is know what they mean.
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Texting Abbreviations
2 – two/too/to
* A: What are you up 2?
* B: Work til 2.
* A: Me 2!
* B: Wanna go 2 the pool after?
2nite – tonight
4 – four/for
* I have something 4 you. Actually, 4 things.
?4U – question for you
* ?4U. Can I borrow your lawn mower?
abt – about
b/c – because
bf/gf – boyfriend/girlfriend
* He’s going out with his gf 2nite.
btw – by the way
c – see
* I get 2 c my bf 2nite!
gnite – good night
idk – I don’t know
This can be used as a complete sentence, or you can follow it up with exactly what you don’t know.
* idk how 2 knit
Ima/Imma/I’ma – I’m going to
* I’ma go 2 the movies w/my bf. (I’m going to go to the movies with my boyfriend.)
imo/imho – in my opinion/in my humble opinion
* imo, your gf is 2 hot 4 you.
j/k – just kidding
This abbreviation is an addendum to a jocular or sarcastic statement. It is used to clarify that the statement prior was in fact meant in jest.
* I knitted your mom some lingerie. j/k
k – okay
l8r – later
Use as a stand-alone statement to bid farewell or in conjunction with “c u” (see you).
* cul8r (See you later)
lmao – laughing my a** off
Stronger than “LOL,” but not quite as exaggerated as “ROFL,” “lmao” is used to express hearty laughter.
lol – laughing out loud
Another stand-alone expression, “lol” can be intensified by using capital letters (LOL) or adding exclamation points.
msg – message
n – in
np/no prob – no problem
oic – Oh, I see.
orly? – Oh really?
omg – oh my gosh/oh my god
ppl – people
r – are
* What r u talking abt?
sup – What’s up?
thx – thanks
ttyl – talk to you later
u – you
ur – your/you’re
* thx, ur awesome
* u left ur camera at my house
w/ – with
w/o – without
wtf – What the f***?
A stand-alone expression conveying any combination of disbelief, frustration, anger, fear and/or confusion.
* A: I knitted ur mom some lingerie.
* B: WTF?!
* A: j/k
yf – wife
Of course, these texting abbreviations are not the only ones people use. There are tons more, from the obvious to the completely mystifying.
EMOTICONS
<3 This is a heart. Tilt your head to the right, and you’ll see it. You can add more 3s to enlarge the heart, thus indicating stronger feelings of love.
* 
) :c) =) 
If you tilt your head to the left, you’ll see a series of happy faces.
* 
Conversely, any of the above can also be changed to a sad face.
* 
By changing the colon to a semicolon, the happy face becomes a wink.
* (~_^) In this variation of a winking face, you don’t have to tilt your head to see it.
* :* :-* These two emoticons indicate a kiss.
* :’( Adding an apostrophe to a sad face causes it to appear as though it’s crying.
Maybe you are one of those people who can’t stand all these nonsensical texting abbreviations and symbols. Maybe you will insist on spelling out every word and using correct capitalization and punctuation until the day you die. That is perfectly acceptable, but at least now you’ll be able to decipher what everyone else is saying.
